Communicating Phylogenetic Information: Problems and Possibilities <B>Communicating Phylogenetic Information: Problems and Possibilities</B><P> </B><EM><B></B></EM><B>Antony Cox</B> <BR> Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, UK<P> An increasing number of comparative biology studies depend either explicitly or implicitly upon accurate phylogenetic data. A recent explosion in interest in DNA-based phylogenetic studies has produced huge amounts of data, although systematists have been slow to exploit opportunities to communicate the results to the wider research community. Propagation of up-to-date phylogenetic data is problematic; data analysis techniques are often complex, and interpretation of terminology may differ. Our phylogenetic understanding of the biological world is in a continual state of flux and may change rapidly as more data are accumulated. Huge problems can arise while trying to maintain synchronisation of phylogenetic data, taxonomic names and taxon circumscriptions. Systems are needed that permit (possibly non-expert) researchers to query existing data and extract up-to-date phylogenetic information. We suggest one possible approach developed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. <P>