Zerg Taxanomy

[Visions of Khas]

So I'm guessing the Zerg would provide a taxanomic nightmare (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclature) for xeno-biologists.

How would one classify the multifarious zerg breeds? According to the BlackStone Project, the zerg breeds might properly be considered chimeras (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(genetics)); the hydralisk for example, contained the genetic material of at least eight distinct species. Do the various strains and breeds constitute distinct speces (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speciation) or subspecies? Probably not, considering one qualifying parameter for a species is reproductive. Though I'm unsure if that various zerg even classify as classical breeds (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed), considering both the arbitrary nature of of "breeds" and the sheer genetic fluidity between not only the zerg types but also individuals of the same type; ie distinctions of Hydralisks between the First Great War/Brood War, and the Second Great War, Impaler strains vs Lurker strains, and genetic variety/mutation in individuals of the same type.

Would it then be more proper to classify zerg types the same as plants, considering "variety (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_(botany))," "cultivar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultivar)," and "form (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_(botany))" (considering each of these are ranks inferior to that of "species")? This may be the more productive route (http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2011/11/29/what-is-the-difference-between-a-species-and-a-variety/).





Thanks goes to the Internecivus raptus v . Linguafoeda acheronsis (https://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2014/08/the-throwaway-line-in-aliens-that-spawned-decades-of-confusion/) argument.

[Mislagnissa]

The classification of bacteria runs into a similar problem. Maybe that analysis could be of assistance?

[Visions of Khas]

The classification of bacteria runs into a similar problem. Maybe that analysis could be of assistance?

Do you have anything specific to go on?

[Gradius]

So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?

[Visions of Khas]

So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?

I wondered about that, but there's a definite difference in vocabulary and interests -- though with some shared areas in each, as well.

[Mislagnissa]

Do you have anything specific to go on?
Here's what I found on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_taxonomy#Species_concept


So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?
What are you talking about? This is the first time I joined this forum after getting interested in StarCraft and WarCraft against after not playing them since the early 2000s.

[Visions of Khas]

Here's what I found on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacter...pecies_concept

Suh-weet! Just what I was looking for! These articles also address the issue of horizontal gene transfer, which is how zerg operate. Thanks a lot for this, it's leading me through a nice rabbit hole of discovery (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8801440).