MAJOR CHARACTERS AND ENOPLAN SYSTEMATICS

The history of enoplan systematics is briefly reviewed. Various taxonomic characters significant at the generic level and above are discussed, with comments on their application to traditional classifications and to recently propounded theories and new approaches to enoplan classification schemes. Several new characters are introduced and their potential significance examined. Finally, a revised classification scheme is presented which leaves open some of the phylogenetic questions about which there is presently much debate but, at the same time, provides secure higher taxa to contain the many forms and groups currently undergoing revision.