polytypy in folk biological taxonomies¹

Abstract

The mathematical relationship between the size of biological genera (the number of included species, or polytypy) and their relative frequency has been well understood for over fifty years. It is argued here that a similar mathematical relationship should hold for the distribution of polytypy within folk biological taxonomies, but with the overall degree, or tendency toward polytypy subject to influence by cultural factors (salience, agricultural practices, etc.). This is demonstrated with data from several different folk taxonomies. The findings support the contention that folk systems of biological nomenclature accurately reflect natural biological diversity, and that they are able to do this despite the strong influence of cultural factors. The data also provide indirect support for some of Berlin's suggestions concerning the temporal development of folk taxonomic systems .