A quick question regarding the classification of amphibians

[TheGreatPretender]

Since amphibia is a paraphyletic group, why is it not discarded? Why do some biologists argue in favor of keeping the term?

[Julie5]

Hmm, I'm not sure all this stuff about cladistics is really helpful you know! It's all a bit picky, picky, picky....

Having checked the redoubtable Wiki (!), it seems that only the extinct Labyrithinodontia is (was!) paraphyletic...?

To be honest, I would say that it's an excellent idea to give amphibians a single group to belong to, because they have such uniquely distinguishingly characteristics - they're not fish, they're not reptiles, they're 'in-between'.... .

Yes, of course it's useful - possibly even necessary! - to understand the precise course of evolution, what evolved from what etc etc, but I think there's also a cogent argument for saying that the nomenclaturists can end up disappearing down a hole in the ground.

I suppose biology does need some taxonomists - but not that many!!! It just puts students off....