Criteria for Paraphyletic Classification

To establish a paraphyletic group two things must be kept in mind which include the evolutionary significance and the construction of formal classifications. The recognition of evolutionary patterns is necessary to allow discrimination of paraphyletic ones from the polyphyletic category. Hence, establishing detailed criteria for formal classification is required. The following procedural steps must be applied for appropriate adherence to evolutionary classification principles.

• Reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships using appropriate markers such as molecular, morphological, etc, and employing various analytical tools. For instance, distinguishing between paraphyletic and holophyletic species is seen as an acceptable criterion for classification due to their emphasis on the common ancestry.
• Using phenotypic characters and their combinations from the observation of monophyletic and paraphyletic species. Combining phenotypic characters with common descent helps in distinguishing similarities arising from convergent or parallel evolution as observed in polyphyly.
• Using patrocladistic methods to measure the degree of genetic and morphological divergence is a helpful criterion that excludes overestimation of isolated characters and subjective judgement. 
• Checking for meaningful evolutionary trait combinations of paraphyletic groups with emphasis on structure and its function plays a significant role in evolutionary success.
• Paraphyletic status should be applied as features of taxa that describe the evolutionary status of the group rather than a criterion for acceptance in classification.
• At last, choosing an appropriate rank as hierarchical systems help in gaining essential information on storage and retrieval and is beneficial for effective communication.