taxonomy
New taxa (25): Annulariidae
08-10-2010 15:21
Sometimes relevant
literature appears in journals were you don’t expect
it. In the last number of Visaya - a journal nearly
exclusively devoted to marine shells - a paper was
published describing new taxa from the Dominican
Republic.
G.T. Watters, a well-known specialist on Annulariidae, describes the following taxa:
Abbottella (Abbottella) aenea n.sp., type locality Dominican Republic, Prov. La Altagracia, Punta Cana. Holotype UF 434777.
Leiabbottella n.gen., type species Leiabbottella galaxius Watters, 2010.
Leiabbottella galaxius n.sp., type locality Dominican Republic, Prov. Samaná, along Route 5 between Santa Bárbara de Samaná and Sánchez. Holotype UF 434779.
Left: A. (A.) aenea; right: L. galaxius.
Reference:
Watters, G.T., 2010. New taxa of Annulariidae from Dominican Republic (Gastropoda: Littorinoidea). - Visaya 3: 16-20.
G.T. Watters, a well-known specialist on Annulariidae, describes the following taxa:
Abbottella (Abbottella) aenea n.sp., type locality Dominican Republic, Prov. La Altagracia, Punta Cana. Holotype UF 434777.
Leiabbottella n.gen., type species Leiabbottella galaxius Watters, 2010.
Leiabbottella galaxius n.sp., type locality Dominican Republic, Prov. Samaná, along Route 5 between Santa Bárbara de Samaná and Sánchez. Holotype UF 434779.
Left: A. (A.) aenea; right: L. galaxius.
Reference:
Watters, G.T., 2010. New taxa of Annulariidae from Dominican Republic (Gastropoda: Littorinoidea). - Visaya 3: 16-20.
Tree of life, a philosophical debate
04-10-2010 12:50
Recently, a special
number appeared of Biology and Philosophy
on different views
on the Tree of Life (ToL).
A paper by O’Malley at al. introduces the debate.
The ‘Tree of Life’ is intended to represent the pattern of evolutionary processes that result in bifurcating species lineages. Often justified in reference to Darwin’s discussions of trees, the Tree of Life has run up against numerous challenges especially in regard to prokaryote evolution. This special issue examines scientific, historical and philosophical aspects of debates about the Tree of Life, with the aim of turning these criticisms towards a reconstruction of prokaryote phylogeny and even some aspects of the standard evolutionary understanding of eukaryotes. These discussions have arisen out of a multidisciplinary collaboration of people with an interest in the Tree of Life, and we suggest that this sort of focused engagement enables a practical understanding of the relationships between biology, philosophy and history.
Ford Doolittle argues why we need a more realistic public understanding of evolution, stressing the fact that evolutionairy theory is only versatile explanotory toolkit.
The paper by Rieppel explores different, conceptual views and expresses the need to distinguish between different conceptual theorems.
The history of biological systematics documents a continuing tension between classifications in terms of nested hierarchies congruent with branching diagrams (the ‘Tree of Life’) versus reticulated relations. The recognition of conflicting character distribution led to the dissolution of the scala naturae into reticulated systems, which were then transformed into phylogenetic trees by the addition of a vertical axis. The cladistic revolution in systematics resulted in a representation of phylogeny as a strictly bifurcating pattern (cladogram). Due to the ubiquity of character conflict—at the genetic or morphological level, or at any level in between—some characters will necessarily have to be discarded (qua noise) in favor of others in support of a strictly bifurcating phylogenetic tree. Pattern analysts will seek maximal congruence in the distribution of characters (ultimately of any kind) relative to a branching tree-topology; process explainers will call such tree-topologies into question by reference to incompatible evolutionary processes. Pattern analysts will argue that process explanations must not be brought to bear on pattern reconstruction; process explainers will insist that the reconstructed pattern requires a process explanation to become scientifically relevant, i.e., relevant to evolutionary theory. The core question driving the current debate about the adequacy of the ‘Tree of Life’ metaphor seems to be whether the systematic dichotomization of the living world is an adequate representation of the complex evolutionary history of global biodiversity. In ‘Questioning the Tree of Life’, it seems beneficial to draw at least four conceptual distinctions: pattern reconstruction versus process explanation as different epistemological approaches to the study of phylogeny; open versus closed systems as expressions of different kinds of population (species) structures; phylogenetic trees versus cladograms as representations of evolutionary processes versus patterns of relationships; and genes versus species as expressions of different levels of causal integration and evolutionary transformation.
Mallet states that the species concept as currently understood, appears to be returning to more Darwinian views on species, and to a fuller appreciation of what Darwin meant. As O’Malley shows, the dichotomy of life concept held by several biologists from the 20th century, was formulated from a too narrow perspective.
Morgan discusses new concepts of biodiversity and species delimitation, and argues for a phenetic rather than a phylogenetic measure of distance and the use of morphospaces.
With a number of papers focussed on understanding microbial speciation, sometimes a paper on this topic seems to have relevance outside the eukaryotic realm. Belko discusses the balance between vertical descent and phylogenetic networks.
Velasco and Sober give a methodological contribution by discussing model selection and phylogentic inference.
A phylogeny that allows for lateral gene transfer (LGT) can be thought of as a strictly branching tree (all of whose branches are vertical) to which lateral branches have been added. Given that the goal of phylogenetics is to depict evolutionary history, we should look for the best supported phylogenetic network and not restrict ourselves to considering trees. However, the obvious extensions of popular tree-based methods such as maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood face a serious problem—if we judge networks by fit to data alone, networks that have lateral branches will always fit the data at least as well as any network that restricts itself to vertical branches. This is analogous to the well-studied problem of overfitting data in the curve-fitting problem. Analogous problems often have analogous solutions and we propose to treat network inference as a case of model selection and use the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Strictly tree-like networks are more parsimonious than those that postulate lateral as well as vertical branches. This leads to the conclusion that we should not always infer LGT events whenever it would improve our fit-to-data, but should do so only when the improved fit is larger than the penalty for adding extra lateral branches.
In Franklin-Hall’s view, the ToL may play an important role in the dynamic modeling of evolution. Finally, Bapteste and Burian make a plea for a more integrative approach.
Recently improved understanding of evolutionary processes suggests that tree-based phylogenetic analyses of evolutionary change cannot adequately explain the divergent evolutionary histories of a great many genes and gene complexes. In particular, genetic diversity in the genomes of prokaryotes, phages, and plasmids cannot be fit into classic tree-like models of evolution. These findings entail the need for fundamental reform of our understanding of molecular evolution and the need to devise alternative apparatus for integrated analysis of these genomes. We advocate the development of integrative phylogenomics for analyzing these genomes and their histories, with tools suited to analyzing the importance of lateral gene transfer (LGT) and of DNA evolution in extra-cellular mobile genetic elements (e.g., viruses, plasmids). These phenomena greatly increase the complexity of relationships among interacting genetic partners, as they exchange functional genetic units. We examine the ontology of functional genetic units, interacting genetic partners, and emergent genetic associations, argue that these three categories of entities are required for a successful integrated phylogenomics. We conclude with arguments to suggest that the proposed new perspective and associated tools are suitable, and perhaps required, as a replacement for the bifurcating trees that have dominated evolutionary thinking for the last 150 years.
These papers are open access and are recommended to those who like to sharpen their thoughts on evolutionary theory, species concepts and methodologies used to investigate them.
A paper by O’Malley at al. introduces the debate.
The ‘Tree of Life’ is intended to represent the pattern of evolutionary processes that result in bifurcating species lineages. Often justified in reference to Darwin’s discussions of trees, the Tree of Life has run up against numerous challenges especially in regard to prokaryote evolution. This special issue examines scientific, historical and philosophical aspects of debates about the Tree of Life, with the aim of turning these criticisms towards a reconstruction of prokaryote phylogeny and even some aspects of the standard evolutionary understanding of eukaryotes. These discussions have arisen out of a multidisciplinary collaboration of people with an interest in the Tree of Life, and we suggest that this sort of focused engagement enables a practical understanding of the relationships between biology, philosophy and history.
Ford Doolittle argues why we need a more realistic public understanding of evolution, stressing the fact that evolutionairy theory is only versatile explanotory toolkit.
The paper by Rieppel explores different, conceptual views and expresses the need to distinguish between different conceptual theorems.
The history of biological systematics documents a continuing tension between classifications in terms of nested hierarchies congruent with branching diagrams (the ‘Tree of Life’) versus reticulated relations. The recognition of conflicting character distribution led to the dissolution of the scala naturae into reticulated systems, which were then transformed into phylogenetic trees by the addition of a vertical axis. The cladistic revolution in systematics resulted in a representation of phylogeny as a strictly bifurcating pattern (cladogram). Due to the ubiquity of character conflict—at the genetic or morphological level, or at any level in between—some characters will necessarily have to be discarded (qua noise) in favor of others in support of a strictly bifurcating phylogenetic tree. Pattern analysts will seek maximal congruence in the distribution of characters (ultimately of any kind) relative to a branching tree-topology; process explainers will call such tree-topologies into question by reference to incompatible evolutionary processes. Pattern analysts will argue that process explanations must not be brought to bear on pattern reconstruction; process explainers will insist that the reconstructed pattern requires a process explanation to become scientifically relevant, i.e., relevant to evolutionary theory. The core question driving the current debate about the adequacy of the ‘Tree of Life’ metaphor seems to be whether the systematic dichotomization of the living world is an adequate representation of the complex evolutionary history of global biodiversity. In ‘Questioning the Tree of Life’, it seems beneficial to draw at least four conceptual distinctions: pattern reconstruction versus process explanation as different epistemological approaches to the study of phylogeny; open versus closed systems as expressions of different kinds of population (species) structures; phylogenetic trees versus cladograms as representations of evolutionary processes versus patterns of relationships; and genes versus species as expressions of different levels of causal integration and evolutionary transformation.
Mallet states that the species concept as currently understood, appears to be returning to more Darwinian views on species, and to a fuller appreciation of what Darwin meant. As O’Malley shows, the dichotomy of life concept held by several biologists from the 20th century, was formulated from a too narrow perspective.
Morgan discusses new concepts of biodiversity and species delimitation, and argues for a phenetic rather than a phylogenetic measure of distance and the use of morphospaces.
With a number of papers focussed on understanding microbial speciation, sometimes a paper on this topic seems to have relevance outside the eukaryotic realm. Belko discusses the balance between vertical descent and phylogenetic networks.
Velasco and Sober give a methodological contribution by discussing model selection and phylogentic inference.
A phylogeny that allows for lateral gene transfer (LGT) can be thought of as a strictly branching tree (all of whose branches are vertical) to which lateral branches have been added. Given that the goal of phylogenetics is to depict evolutionary history, we should look for the best supported phylogenetic network and not restrict ourselves to considering trees. However, the obvious extensions of popular tree-based methods such as maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood face a serious problem—if we judge networks by fit to data alone, networks that have lateral branches will always fit the data at least as well as any network that restricts itself to vertical branches. This is analogous to the well-studied problem of overfitting data in the curve-fitting problem. Analogous problems often have analogous solutions and we propose to treat network inference as a case of model selection and use the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Strictly tree-like networks are more parsimonious than those that postulate lateral as well as vertical branches. This leads to the conclusion that we should not always infer LGT events whenever it would improve our fit-to-data, but should do so only when the improved fit is larger than the penalty for adding extra lateral branches.
In Franklin-Hall’s view, the ToL may play an important role in the dynamic modeling of evolution. Finally, Bapteste and Burian make a plea for a more integrative approach.
Recently improved understanding of evolutionary processes suggests that tree-based phylogenetic analyses of evolutionary change cannot adequately explain the divergent evolutionary histories of a great many genes and gene complexes. In particular, genetic diversity in the genomes of prokaryotes, phages, and plasmids cannot be fit into classic tree-like models of evolution. These findings entail the need for fundamental reform of our understanding of molecular evolution and the need to devise alternative apparatus for integrated analysis of these genomes. We advocate the development of integrative phylogenomics for analyzing these genomes and their histories, with tools suited to analyzing the importance of lateral gene transfer (LGT) and of DNA evolution in extra-cellular mobile genetic elements (e.g., viruses, plasmids). These phenomena greatly increase the complexity of relationships among interacting genetic partners, as they exchange functional genetic units. We examine the ontology of functional genetic units, interacting genetic partners, and emergent genetic associations, argue that these three categories of entities are required for a successful integrated phylogenomics. We conclude with arguments to suggest that the proposed new perspective and associated tools are suitable, and perhaps required, as a replacement for the bifurcating trees that have dominated evolutionary thinking for the last 150 years.
These papers are open access and are recommended to those who like to sharpen their thoughts on evolutionary theory, species concepts and methodologies used to investigate them.
New taxa (21): species from Central America
20-04-2010 08:23
In a recent paper, Fred
Thompson highlights some Spiraxidae from Costa Rica
and Panama. The subfamilies within this group and
four genera are redescribed; two species are
described as new taxa. New distribution records from
both countries.
The first one is Rectaxis pagodus Thompson, 2010, from La Lola Agricultural station, west of Limón, Costa Rica. Holotype UF 80942. Fig. 1. Scale line = 1 mm.
The second new species is Volutaxis (Volutaxis) eburneus Thompson, 2010. Type locality: Costa Rica, prov. Limón, La Estrella, Hitoy Cerera Biological Reserve. Holotype UF 215409. Fig. 4.
Reference:
Thompson, F.G., 2010. Four species of land snails from Costa Rica and Panama (Pulmonata: Spiraxidae). - Revista de Biología Tropical 58 (1): 195-202.
The first one is Rectaxis pagodus Thompson, 2010, from La Lola Agricultural station, west of Limón, Costa Rica. Holotype UF 80942. Fig. 1. Scale line = 1 mm.
The second new species is Volutaxis (Volutaxis) eburneus Thompson, 2010. Type locality: Costa Rica, prov. Limón, La Estrella, Hitoy Cerera Biological Reserve. Holotype UF 215409. Fig. 4.
Reference:
Thompson, F.G., 2010. Four species of land snails from Costa Rica and Panama (Pulmonata: Spiraxidae). - Revista de Biología Tropical 58 (1): 195-202.
Introduction to Taxonomy
06-04-2010 21:23
For those of you not
familiar with the essentials of taxonomy (is there
anyone out there?), see the new presentation of
BIONET here.
New taxa (20): Olympus
07-04-2010 20:30
Recently, Luiz Simone
published a paper on a new genus and species from the
tepui area in the Brazilian/Venezuelan border
(Simone, 2010). It is called Olympus nimbus
gen.n. sp.n. and placed
by him in the Camaenidae. The type locality is
Brazil, Amazonas, São Gabriel de Cachoeira, Pico da
Neblina, 100m. Holotype MZSP 87151.
This locality is in lowland at the base of the tepui on the Brazilian-Venezuelan border, Pico da Neblina = Cerro de Neblina. See also here and here (including links) for species from higher elevations in the same area.
The paper contains a very detailed description of the anatomy, very well illustrated with precise drawings. It is a masterpiece of morphological work.
Olympus is said to be closely related to Solaropsis, a Camaenid genus that is considered by Cuezzo (2003) to be part of the Caracolinae and by Schieleyko (2006) considered as Pleurodontidae. The taxonomy of the Neotropical “Camaenidae” is thus in disorder when only morphological and anatomical characters are used. Perhaps that additional molecular data (cf. Wade et al, 2007) may shed light on this controversy. Until then, I prefer to group the Neotropical genera as Pleurodontidae.
References:
Cuezzo, M.G., 2003. Phylogenetic analysis of the Camaenidae (Mollusca: Stylommatophora) with special emphasis on the American taxa. — Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 138: 449-476.
Schileyko, A., 2006. Treatise on Recent terrestrial pulmonate molluscs, 13. Helicidae, Pleurodontidae, Polygyridae, Ammonitellidae, Oreohelicidae, Thysanophoridae. — Ruthenica, Supplement 2: 1795-1906.
Simone, L.R.L., 2010. A new genus and species of Camaenid from the Amazon rainforest, Brazil (Pulmonata, Helicoidea). — Journal of Conchology 40: 149-161.
Wade, C.M., C. Hudelot, A. Davison, F. Naggs & P.B. Mordan, 2007. Molecular phylogeny of the helicoid land snails (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora: Helicoidea), with special emphasis on the Camaenidae. — Journal of Molluscan Studies 73: 411-415.
This locality is in lowland at the base of the tepui on the Brazilian-Venezuelan border, Pico da Neblina = Cerro de Neblina. See also here and here (including links) for species from higher elevations in the same area.
The paper contains a very detailed description of the anatomy, very well illustrated with precise drawings. It is a masterpiece of morphological work.
Olympus is said to be closely related to Solaropsis, a Camaenid genus that is considered by Cuezzo (2003) to be part of the Caracolinae and by Schieleyko (2006) considered as Pleurodontidae. The taxonomy of the Neotropical “Camaenidae” is thus in disorder when only morphological and anatomical characters are used. Perhaps that additional molecular data (cf. Wade et al, 2007) may shed light on this controversy. Until then, I prefer to group the Neotropical genera as Pleurodontidae.
References:
Cuezzo, M.G., 2003. Phylogenetic analysis of the Camaenidae (Mollusca: Stylommatophora) with special emphasis on the American taxa. — Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 138: 449-476.
Schileyko, A., 2006. Treatise on Recent terrestrial pulmonate molluscs, 13. Helicidae, Pleurodontidae, Polygyridae, Ammonitellidae, Oreohelicidae, Thysanophoridae. — Ruthenica, Supplement 2: 1795-1906.
Simone, L.R.L., 2010. A new genus and species of Camaenid from the Amazon rainforest, Brazil (Pulmonata, Helicoidea). — Journal of Conchology 40: 149-161.
Wade, C.M., C. Hudelot, A. Davison, F. Naggs & P.B. Mordan, 2007. Molecular phylogeny of the helicoid land snails (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora: Helicoidea), with special emphasis on the Camaenidae. — Journal of Molluscan Studies 73: 411-415.
Tools for cybertaxonomy
20-11-2009 16:27
Web-based taxonomy is
the way forward. Said it before, will say it more.
However, tools and the right choice of them is
utterly important to have good results and easy
interchange of compatible data.
EDIT has a special programme (WP5) that is devoted to cybertaxonomy and a special page that presents an overview of tools: Biodiversity Service & Application Tracker.
Software is divided both in type (applications, data) and in categories (from bibliography to taxonomy). In several categories there are recent additions, but an option is present to receive RSS feeds.
EDIT has a special programme (WP5) that is devoted to cybertaxonomy and a special page that presents an overview of tools: Biodiversity Service & Application Tracker.
Software is divided both in type (applications, data) and in categories (from bibliography to taxonomy). In several categories there are recent additions, but an option is present to receive RSS feeds.
New Taxa (19): Araucocharopa
02-11-2009 19:44
Recently, several new
taxa have been described from Chile.
Another one is now added by Sergio Miquel and
Francisco Cádiz Lorca. It is a small species
belonging to the Charopidae.
After a careful comparison with other genera from the same family occurring in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, the authors have come to the conclusion that this novelty belongs to a new genus. The name is derived from the area where the species is found.
The new species is named in honour of Carlos Gallardo. Type locality: Chile, XIV Región, Prov. Valdivia, Reserva Costera Valdiviana. Holotype: MNHNCL 6610.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Cádiz Lorca, F.J., 2008. Araucocharopa gallardoi gen. et sp.n. de Charopidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) del sur de Chile. - Revista Museo Argentino Ciencias Naturales, n.s. 10: 329-340.
After a careful comparison with other genera from the same family occurring in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, the authors have come to the conclusion that this novelty belongs to a new genus. The name is derived from the area where the species is found.
The new species is named in honour of Carlos Gallardo. Type locality: Chile, XIV Región, Prov. Valdivia, Reserva Costera Valdiviana. Holotype: MNHNCL 6610.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Cádiz Lorca, F.J., 2008. Araucocharopa gallardoi gen. et sp.n. de Charopidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) del sur de Chile. - Revista Museo Argentino Ciencias Naturales, n.s. 10: 329-340.
New taxa (18): Plagiodontes
24-08-2009 07:20
Plagiodontes
is a genus belonging to the family Orthalicidae,
subfamily Odontostomidae. The seven species currently
recognized occur in three disjunct area in Argentina
and Uruguay. Recently Pizá & Cazzaniga revised
part of the genus and described a new species from
Argentina, Prov. Catamarca, Cuesta de la
Chilca:
P.
weyrauchi
sp.n. (holotype MACN-In 37465).
Their paper describes very nice and in detail the anatomy of the taxon and compares it with known data of other small Plagiodontes species. Since the shells are very similar, a morphometric analysis is provided, showing the differences.
I’m sure this paper will act as a cornerstone for future publications on this group and it contains very useful anatomical data. Proficiat to the authors!
Reference:
Pizá, J. & Cazzaniga, N., 2009. A new species of Plagiodontes from Argentina, and new data on the anatomy of four other species in the genus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae: Odontostominae). - Journal of Natural History 43: 1437-1471.
Their paper describes very nice and in detail the anatomy of the taxon and compares it with known data of other small Plagiodontes species. Since the shells are very similar, a morphometric analysis is provided, showing the differences.
I’m sure this paper will act as a cornerstone for future publications on this group and it contains very useful anatomical data. Proficiat to the authors!
Reference:
Pizá, J. & Cazzaniga, N., 2009. A new species of Plagiodontes from Argentina, and new data on the anatomy of four other species in the genus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae: Odontostominae). - Journal of Natural History 43: 1437-1471.
Type specimens and live specimens
21-08-2009 16:12
Perhaps did you hear about the discovery of
the
Galápagos Pink Land
Iguana
early this year? This week it was formally described
as a new species this week:
Conolophus
marthae
Gentile & Snell, 2009.
The interesting thing about their description is that their holotype is still alive. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature states that “where the holotype or syntypes are extant specimens, by a statement of intent that they will be (or are) deposited in a collection and a statement indicating the name and location of that collection” (art. 16.4.2). There is some debate as to whether living specimens are allowed as types if they have not been deposited in a museum collection.
I find this point interesting, as the two living specimens I have in my lab belong to a new species, yet to be described. Or rather, only one is still alive since I sacrificed the other for anatomical research. Thus, while in this case the holotype is already dead and the shell and fixed body have been incorporated in the collection, the paratype is still living.
The existence of living (holo)types have stirred up a debate (Dubois, 2009, Dubois & Nemésio, 2007; Donovan, 2008, 2009; Nemésio, 2009). Dubois (2009) points out that the wording of the Code is ambiguous and does not clearly prohibit the description of a species with living type specimens. He also makes clear that the description of the Galapagos Pink Land Iguana is deliberately based on a living holotype, following after a discussion amoung scientists. The case acts thus as a test case for a provision of the ICZN and will likely become a textbook case in the future. He argues that not fixing a holotype in the collection, thus e.g. adding to the threat of extinction of the population, is sending out the wrong message from a conservationist point of view. To progress our knowledge we would always need one specimen in a scientific collection for reference, also for endagered species of which few specimens are known. For this reason, Dubois & Nemésio (2007) and Nemésio (2009) have argued for a rephrasing or amendment of the Code, making it obligatory to deposite preserved specimens of any taxon to be described.
Donovan (2008, 2009) rejects this strict reasoning and argues that one shouldn’t have to wait on actions by the ICZN (which may take considerable time) to describe a new taxon. He further sees the measures taken by Gentile & Schnell, to place a passive transponder in the holotype of the pink iguana enabling its localization, as an innovation in taxonomy. For the sake of brevity I skip here the debate on ethical questions (see Donovan 2008, 2009; Nemésis, 2009).
Suffice to say that the debate hasn’t been closed yet and awaits a decision by the Commission.
My living snail will stay alive for a while, I hope. It will be described as a new species later this year. Having read the story of the Galápagos pink iguana, I could even refer to the *living* paratype in the paper indicating that it is in the lab of the museum where it will be deposited after its death. Alive or dead, I still have a choice. If the ICZN doesn’t change it’s mind too quickly...
References:
Donegan, T.M., 2008. New species and subspecies descriptions do not and should not always require a dead type specimen. -Zootaxa 1761: 37-48.
Donegan, T.M., 2009: Type specimens, samples of live individuals and the Galapagos Pink Land Iguana. - Zootaxa 2201: 12-20.
Dubois, A., 2009: Endangered species and endangered knowledge. Zootaxa 2201: 26-29.
Dubois, A. & Nemésio, A., 2007. Does nomenclatural availability of nomina of new species or subspecies require the deposition of vouchers in collections? - Zootaxa 1409: 1-22.
Gentile, G. & Snell, H., 2009: Conolophus marthae sp.nov. (Squamata, Iguanidae), a new species of land iguana from the Galápagos archipelago. - Zootaxa 2201: 1-10.
Nemésio, A., 2009: On the live holotype of the Galápagos pink land Iguana, Conolophus marthae Gentile & Snell, 2009 (Squamata: Iguanidae): is it an acceptable exception? - Zootaxa 2201: 21-25.
The interesting thing about their description is that their holotype is still alive. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature states that “where the holotype or syntypes are extant specimens, by a statement of intent that they will be (or are) deposited in a collection and a statement indicating the name and location of that collection” (art. 16.4.2). There is some debate as to whether living specimens are allowed as types if they have not been deposited in a museum collection.
I find this point interesting, as the two living specimens I have in my lab belong to a new species, yet to be described. Or rather, only one is still alive since I sacrificed the other for anatomical research. Thus, while in this case the holotype is already dead and the shell and fixed body have been incorporated in the collection, the paratype is still living.
The existence of living (holo)types have stirred up a debate (Dubois, 2009, Dubois & Nemésio, 2007; Donovan, 2008, 2009; Nemésio, 2009). Dubois (2009) points out that the wording of the Code is ambiguous and does not clearly prohibit the description of a species with living type specimens. He also makes clear that the description of the Galapagos Pink Land Iguana is deliberately based on a living holotype, following after a discussion amoung scientists. The case acts thus as a test case for a provision of the ICZN and will likely become a textbook case in the future. He argues that not fixing a holotype in the collection, thus e.g. adding to the threat of extinction of the population, is sending out the wrong message from a conservationist point of view. To progress our knowledge we would always need one specimen in a scientific collection for reference, also for endagered species of which few specimens are known. For this reason, Dubois & Nemésio (2007) and Nemésio (2009) have argued for a rephrasing or amendment of the Code, making it obligatory to deposite preserved specimens of any taxon to be described.
Donovan (2008, 2009) rejects this strict reasoning and argues that one shouldn’t have to wait on actions by the ICZN (which may take considerable time) to describe a new taxon. He further sees the measures taken by Gentile & Schnell, to place a passive transponder in the holotype of the pink iguana enabling its localization, as an innovation in taxonomy. For the sake of brevity I skip here the debate on ethical questions (see Donovan 2008, 2009; Nemésis, 2009).
Suffice to say that the debate hasn’t been closed yet and awaits a decision by the Commission.
My living snail will stay alive for a while, I hope. It will be described as a new species later this year. Having read the story of the Galápagos pink iguana, I could even refer to the *living* paratype in the paper indicating that it is in the lab of the museum where it will be deposited after its death. Alive or dead, I still have a choice. If the ICZN doesn’t change it’s mind too quickly...
References:
Donegan, T.M., 2008. New species and subspecies descriptions do not and should not always require a dead type specimen. -Zootaxa 1761: 37-48.
Donegan, T.M., 2009: Type specimens, samples of live individuals and the Galapagos Pink Land Iguana. - Zootaxa 2201: 12-20.
Dubois, A., 2009: Endangered species and endangered knowledge. Zootaxa 2201: 26-29.
Dubois, A. & Nemésio, A., 2007. Does nomenclatural availability of nomina of new species or subspecies require the deposition of vouchers in collections? - Zootaxa 1409: 1-22.
Gentile, G. & Snell, H., 2009: Conolophus marthae sp.nov. (Squamata, Iguanidae), a new species of land iguana from the Galápagos archipelago. - Zootaxa 2201: 1-10.
Nemésio, A., 2009: On the live holotype of the Galápagos pink land Iguana, Conolophus marthae Gentile & Snell, 2009 (Squamata: Iguanidae): is it an acceptable exception? - Zootaxa 2201: 21-25.
New taxa (17): Charopidae
06-08-2009 10:25
In the same issue of the Archiv, a paper was
published by Sergio Miquel and Gary Barker about
punctoid shells. This group is poorly known and only
based on shell morphology.
Three new species are described, all occurring in Chile; one species extends into western Argentina. The first record for the genus Lilloiconcha in Chile, is L. aysensis n.sp. from Prov. Aysen, Puerto Chacabuco (FMNH 312442).
The second taxon, Radiodiscus villarricensis n.sp., was found in Prov. Concepción, Fundo El Manzano (FMNH 312443). Specimens of this species have also found in Argentina, Prov. Neuquén.
Finally, Stephadiscus stuardoi n.sp. is described from Prov. Concepción, Hualpén Botanical Park (MNHNCL 6655). This species is named after Dr. José Stuardo, the well-known Chilean malacologist.
These minute land shells are detritus feeders and may be found in leaf litter. Interestingly, the charopids from this area have close relatives in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Further anatomical and phylogenetic research may shed light on these relationships and on the biogeographical processes behind it.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Barker, G.M., 2009. New Charopidae from Chilean-Argentine Patagonia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 53-61.
Three new species are described, all occurring in Chile; one species extends into western Argentina. The first record for the genus Lilloiconcha in Chile, is L. aysensis n.sp. from Prov. Aysen, Puerto Chacabuco (FMNH 312442).
The second taxon, Radiodiscus villarricensis n.sp., was found in Prov. Concepción, Fundo El Manzano (FMNH 312443). Specimens of this species have also found in Argentina, Prov. Neuquén.
Finally, Stephadiscus stuardoi n.sp. is described from Prov. Concepción, Hualpén Botanical Park (MNHNCL 6655). This species is named after Dr. José Stuardo, the well-known Chilean malacologist.
These minute land shells are detritus feeders and may be found in leaf litter. Interestingly, the charopids from this area have close relatives in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Further anatomical and phylogenetic research may shed light on these relationships and on the biogeographical processes behind it.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Barker, G.M., 2009. New Charopidae from Chilean-Argentine Patagonia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 53-61.
New taxa (16): Spiraxidae
05-08-2009 20:10
Fred Thompson recently published a paper on Mexican
spiraxids. Spriaxidae are carnivorous snails and well
represented in Mexico. Five species are reported from
karst limestone ranges that are separated by basins
of non-calcareous soils.
Streptostylella botteriana (Crosse & Fischer, 1869) is redescribed and -figured. This species occurs near Orizaba and Córdoba in Veracruz and only very few specimens are known.
Another poorly known species, recorded for the first time from Oaxaca, is Streptostyla (Eustreptostyla) nicoleti nicoleti (Shuttleowrth, 1852).
Finally, three new species are described in this paper. One is Streptostyla (Eustreptostyla) rupecula n.sp. Type locality: Veracruz, 4 km NE Comalapa (UF 81912). The two others are species of Varicoturris. V. hadra n.sp. is described from Oaxaca, 12 km NW Bethania (UF 423105) and V. elegans n.sp. from the same state on the northeast shore of Presa Miguel Aleman (UF 337226).
V. hadra (4), V. elegans (6) and Streptostyla rupecula (8)
All species are local endemics of tropical wet seasonal forests.
Reference:
Thompson, F.G., 2009. Five landsnails of the family Spiraxidae from southeastern Mexico (Pulmonata: Spiraxidae). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 63-70.
Streptostylella botteriana (Crosse & Fischer, 1869) is redescribed and -figured. This species occurs near Orizaba and Córdoba in Veracruz and only very few specimens are known.
Another poorly known species, recorded for the first time from Oaxaca, is Streptostyla (Eustreptostyla) nicoleti nicoleti (Shuttleowrth, 1852).
Finally, three new species are described in this paper. One is Streptostyla (Eustreptostyla) rupecula n.sp. Type locality: Veracruz, 4 km NE Comalapa (UF 81912). The two others are species of Varicoturris. V. hadra n.sp. is described from Oaxaca, 12 km NW Bethania (UF 423105) and V. elegans n.sp. from the same state on the northeast shore of Presa Miguel Aleman (UF 337226).
V. hadra (4), V. elegans (6) and Streptostyla rupecula (8)
All species are local endemics of tropical wet seasonal forests.
Reference:
Thompson, F.G., 2009. Five landsnails of the family Spiraxidae from southeastern Mexico (Pulmonata: Spiraxidae). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 63-70.
On taxonomy again
23-06-2009 20:10
Persoonia
is a journal on molecular phylogeny and evolution of
fungi. I must admit that I had never heard of it,
before Peter Hovekamp send around this
link
pointing to an interesting short note of Seifert,
Crous & Frisvad on impact factors of taxonomic
journals.
One of the factors influencing the decline of taxonomy is the low ranking in the statistics that are used for the SCI-ranking of journals and the H-ranking for authors. On both, taxonomical work and authors usually can be found at the tail end. Needless to say that this reinforces the negative imago of taxonomy (a so-called ‘perverse feed-back loop’).
The authors propose a quite elegant principle to be followed by all taxonomists and taxonomic journals, called Appropriate Citation of Taxonomy. “The principle is to ensure that common elements of taxonomic papers, generally considered de facto citations by taxonomists but not by ISI, are presented in a format that is considered a valid citation by ISI”. In short, if you can’t beat them, join them...
By citing the original works of species names or DNA sequences, taxonomists can ensure that taxonomical work will be given appropriate citation. Even if the list of references is curtailed by the editors, one should at least cite five taxonomic papers.
The only remaining condition is, that the taxonomist is able to publish in a SCI/ISI-covered journal... That is not so simple as it may seem, as the original ISI-coverage was rather arbitrary (including e.g. the Journal of Conchology), while leaving out similar journals (e.g. Basteria and Archiv für Molluskenkunde). And as a befriended editor recently told me, it may only be possible to be included in the ISI-list by paying a substantial fee... Who said that taxonomists are on the loosing end of the battle for money?
As the authors say: taxonomists and taxonomic journals: ACT!
Reference:
Seifert, K.A., Crous, P.W. & Frisvad, J.C., 2008. Correcting the impact factors of taxonomic journals by appropriate citation of taxonomy (ACT). - Persoonia 20: 105.
One of the factors influencing the decline of taxonomy is the low ranking in the statistics that are used for the SCI-ranking of journals and the H-ranking for authors. On both, taxonomical work and authors usually can be found at the tail end. Needless to say that this reinforces the negative imago of taxonomy (a so-called ‘perverse feed-back loop’).
The authors propose a quite elegant principle to be followed by all taxonomists and taxonomic journals, called Appropriate Citation of Taxonomy. “The principle is to ensure that common elements of taxonomic papers, generally considered de facto citations by taxonomists but not by ISI, are presented in a format that is considered a valid citation by ISI”. In short, if you can’t beat them, join them...
By citing the original works of species names or DNA sequences, taxonomists can ensure that taxonomical work will be given appropriate citation. Even if the list of references is curtailed by the editors, one should at least cite five taxonomic papers.
The only remaining condition is, that the taxonomist is able to publish in a SCI/ISI-covered journal... That is not so simple as it may seem, as the original ISI-coverage was rather arbitrary (including e.g. the Journal of Conchology), while leaving out similar journals (e.g. Basteria and Archiv für Molluskenkunde). And as a befriended editor recently told me, it may only be possible to be included in the ISI-list by paying a substantial fee... Who said that taxonomists are on the loosing end of the battle for money?
As the authors say: taxonomists and taxonomic journals: ACT!
Reference:
Seifert, K.A., Crous, P.W. & Frisvad, J.C., 2008. Correcting the impact factors of taxonomic journals by appropriate citation of taxonomy (ACT). - Persoonia 20: 105.
LifeDesks
18-06-2009 10:09
Yesterday I created a new LifeDesk on Neotropical
snails.
The site provides tools for classification, taxon pages, bibliography and image galleries.
Potentially this is a great tool and I hope that, in the end, it may contain all information that gives a relevant and accurate picture of this group. At least, I will start to supply data for the Orthalicidae. With one taxon page and one bibliographic item put up, the start has been made. Until now, I was unable to upload an image that I wanted to complement the taxon page.
The first potential improvement I noticed is a link to other sites, like e.g. MorphBank, that gather partially the same information (images, bibliography). It is a nuisance to do double work and to go through different learning curves; each site has its own way of navigating and managing. Inevitable, but tedious. Integration by linking should be the direction to move forward.
This is part of the ongoing Encyclopedia of Life project, aiming at making taxonomy available to anyone at a click of your keybord. However, to make this authoritative one has to rely on the few experts that are available. But also non-experts may contribute, albeit the tools are not in place yet for making direct contributions.
If you feel you can make a useful contribution to document the biodiversity of Neotropical snails, please become a member of the team. You are more than welcome!
The site provides tools for classification, taxon pages, bibliography and image galleries.
Potentially this is a great tool and I hope that, in the end, it may contain all information that gives a relevant and accurate picture of this group. At least, I will start to supply data for the Orthalicidae. With one taxon page and one bibliographic item put up, the start has been made. Until now, I was unable to upload an image that I wanted to complement the taxon page.
The first potential improvement I noticed is a link to other sites, like e.g. MorphBank, that gather partially the same information (images, bibliography). It is a nuisance to do double work and to go through different learning curves; each site has its own way of navigating and managing. Inevitable, but tedious. Integration by linking should be the direction to move forward.
This is part of the ongoing Encyclopedia of Life project, aiming at making taxonomy available to anyone at a click of your keybord. However, to make this authoritative one has to rely on the few experts that are available. But also non-experts may contribute, albeit the tools are not in place yet for making direct contributions.
If you feel you can make a useful contribution to document the biodiversity of Neotropical snails, please become a member of the team. You are more than welcome!
Restructuring taxonomy
12-06-2009 20:47
Last weeks there has been a discussion on the
Taxocom-list which mainly houses professional
taxonomists. Bob Mesidov was one of the people who
stressed that taxonomists are on the loosing end of
the battle for money, attention and the influx of
young people. See also
this
in the recent issue of The Scientist. “The best we
can hope for is the replace of dead and dropped-out
experts”, Mesibov said. First there was the
biodiversity crisis, now the taxonomy crisis...
The search for solutions has started and the main direction is clear. Online, online, online whatever can be done that way. Are there any inspirational examples perhaps?
Yes, there is one in an unrelated field like astronomy, Clickworkers. Imagine you would have a similar tool for any taxonomic group, identifying patterns of characters in images stored at a database.
Or look at this amazing project, Recapcha, proving that you don’t have to rely on a single participant’s biases.
The closest example of a participation of non-experts in taxonomy is the Collembola site, where many of the images were provided by amateurs.
The ultimate example would be a ‘taxonomy game’ where the players from all over the world got playfully help to contribute to taxonomic work (and perhaps have some interesting time as well seeing the diversity of life). As far as we know, such game doesn’t exist yet.
The common denominator is Open Taxonomy Projects.
The aim is to restructure the work done by biological taxonomists so that anyone, anywhere can contribute to a taxonomic project via the Web.
From the FAQ of this group:
Isn't the job nearly finished? Aren't most species known and classified?
That might be true for birds and mammals and tall trees, and for certain animal and plant groups of economic or medical importance. The rest of the living world is still largely unknown. A recent estimate is 8-9 million species in total on Earth. Taxonomists have so far named and described fewer than 2 million. Most of the undescribed species are small, rare or both.
Why invite non-specialists to help do taxonomy?
Because there aren't enough professional taxonomists in the world, and their numbers are decreasing. Despite this decline, taxonomic knowledge is still fundamentally important in medicine, farming, forestry, fishing, land management and conservation. Taxonomic work is also urgently needed to learn about species headed for extinction in disappearing habitats.
Isn't taxonomy too hard for ordinary people? Don't you need a university degree and special training?
You need special training and experience to become a professional taxonomist. You don't need either to do many of the basic tasks in taxonomy, like documenting and comparing specimens. Open taxonomy projects will sharpen your skills with online games and training.
How are open taxonomy projects going to work? Isn't there a risk that the results won't be as good as taxonomy done by professionals?
Open taxonomy projects will be structured and managed by professional taxonomists in the same way that open-source software is developed. There will be sub-tasks, sub-task maintainers, milestones, version checking and strict adherence to all the rules of formal taxonomy and taxonomic publishing. The difference will be in the results. More specimens will be identified and more species described in less time with more people involved and with better quality control.
Isn't a lot happening these days with digital tools to make taxonomy more efficient? Can't you get increased taxonomic output that way?
There are a lot of new 'cybertaxonomy' tools. What they do is speed up some steps in the taxonomic process, like checking the scientific literature and generating identification keys. Other steps remain slow because they have to be done by humans, not computers. This slower work includes collecting and documenting specimens, comparing specimens, looking for specimen characters to assist identification and classification, testing the usefulness of those characters, etc. Overall, taxonomic output is limited by the slowest steps in the taxonomic workflow. Open taxonomic projects will speed up those slower steps by linking busy, isolated specialists with online volunteer communities that are active 24/7.
If you are interested in this topic, don’t hesitate and participate!
The search for solutions has started and the main direction is clear. Online, online, online whatever can be done that way. Are there any inspirational examples perhaps?
Yes, there is one in an unrelated field like astronomy, Clickworkers. Imagine you would have a similar tool for any taxonomic group, identifying patterns of characters in images stored at a database.
Or look at this amazing project, Recapcha, proving that you don’t have to rely on a single participant’s biases.
The closest example of a participation of non-experts in taxonomy is the Collembola site, where many of the images were provided by amateurs.
The ultimate example would be a ‘taxonomy game’ where the players from all over the world got playfully help to contribute to taxonomic work (and perhaps have some interesting time as well seeing the diversity of life). As far as we know, such game doesn’t exist yet.
The common denominator is Open Taxonomy Projects.
The aim is to restructure the work done by biological taxonomists so that anyone, anywhere can contribute to a taxonomic project via the Web.
From the FAQ of this group:
Isn't the job nearly finished? Aren't most species known and classified?
That might be true for birds and mammals and tall trees, and for certain animal and plant groups of economic or medical importance. The rest of the living world is still largely unknown. A recent estimate is 8-9 million species in total on Earth. Taxonomists have so far named and described fewer than 2 million. Most of the undescribed species are small, rare or both.
Why invite non-specialists to help do taxonomy?
Because there aren't enough professional taxonomists in the world, and their numbers are decreasing. Despite this decline, taxonomic knowledge is still fundamentally important in medicine, farming, forestry, fishing, land management and conservation. Taxonomic work is also urgently needed to learn about species headed for extinction in disappearing habitats.
Isn't taxonomy too hard for ordinary people? Don't you need a university degree and special training?
You need special training and experience to become a professional taxonomist. You don't need either to do many of the basic tasks in taxonomy, like documenting and comparing specimens. Open taxonomy projects will sharpen your skills with online games and training.
How are open taxonomy projects going to work? Isn't there a risk that the results won't be as good as taxonomy done by professionals?
Open taxonomy projects will be structured and managed by professional taxonomists in the same way that open-source software is developed. There will be sub-tasks, sub-task maintainers, milestones, version checking and strict adherence to all the rules of formal taxonomy and taxonomic publishing. The difference will be in the results. More specimens will be identified and more species described in less time with more people involved and with better quality control.
Isn't a lot happening these days with digital tools to make taxonomy more efficient? Can't you get increased taxonomic output that way?
There are a lot of new 'cybertaxonomy' tools. What they do is speed up some steps in the taxonomic process, like checking the scientific literature and generating identification keys. Other steps remain slow because they have to be done by humans, not computers. This slower work includes collecting and documenting specimens, comparing specimens, looking for specimen characters to assist identification and classification, testing the usefulness of those characters, etc. Overall, taxonomic output is limited by the slowest steps in the taxonomic workflow. Open taxonomic projects will speed up those slower steps by linking busy, isolated specialists with online volunteer communities that are active 24/7.
If you are interested in this topic, don’t hesitate and participate!
New taxa (15): Idiostemma
27-05-2009 21:28
In my series on new taxa introduced to the
Neotropical land-snail fauna, I still have to catch
up with some “oldies”. Today a paper by Franke &
Fernández (2007), who described a new urocoptid
species from Cuba, Prov. Holguin, Banes, Cerro de
Yaguajay.
It is called Idiostemma alfredoi. The holotype is in the Holguin Natural History Museum; paratypes are in the Berlin museum.
Although all pictures in the paper are black/white, some of them are nicely picturing the habitat of this new taxon.
Reference:
Franke, S. & Fernández V., A., 2007. A new land snail of the genus Idiostemma Pilsbry & Vanatta, 1898 (Gastropoda: Urocoptidae) from Eastern Cuba. - Schriften zur Malakozoologie 23: 79-86.
It is called Idiostemma alfredoi. The holotype is in the Holguin Natural History Museum; paratypes are in the Berlin museum.
Although all pictures in the paper are black/white, some of them are nicely picturing the habitat of this new taxon.
Reference:
Franke, S. & Fernández V., A., 2007. A new land snail of the genus Idiostemma Pilsbry & Vanatta, 1898 (Gastropoda: Urocoptidae) from Eastern Cuba. - Schriften zur Malakozoologie 23: 79-86.
Divergent opinions
13-04-2009 08:02
Are there as many opinions as there are taxonomists?
Sometimes it seems so. Anyhow, sometimes one need
faunal lists as sources for meta-analysis and then
one has to find consensus among divergent opinions.
Island faunas is a topic for a new paper I’m working on. In that context different views on the same fauna became apparent, in this case the malacofauna of Guadeloupe.
For this island I had three sources, two of which are unpublished data:
- the website of the ‘Inventaire national du patrimoine naturelle’ (INPN) of the Paris museum (MNHN);
- an unpublished report by Alain Bertrand, who collected intensively on this (and several other) island (see map above);
- an internal report by David Robinson and Angela Fields.
As I was primarily interested in the total number of taxa and the endemic species, it was a bit puzzling to cope with the different opinions. The INPN-site only lists the taxa, which forced me to make some guesses, but generally the differences could be easily resolved.
A total of 50 species were counted (marked in bold), of which 12 are endemic to Guadeloupe (marked in yellow above). Generally I followed the treatment by Robinson & Fields (to be consistent with data for other islands). Only taxa have been counted if they were listed by at least two of the three sources, unless recent collected material was present.
Island faunas is a topic for a new paper I’m working on. In that context different views on the same fauna became apparent, in this case the malacofauna of Guadeloupe.
For this island I had three sources, two of which are unpublished data:
- the website of the ‘Inventaire national du patrimoine naturelle’ (INPN) of the Paris museum (MNHN);
- an unpublished report by Alain Bertrand, who collected intensively on this (and several other) island (see map above);
- an internal report by David Robinson and Angela Fields.
As I was primarily interested in the total number of taxa and the endemic species, it was a bit puzzling to cope with the different opinions. The INPN-site only lists the taxa, which forced me to make some guesses, but generally the differences could be easily resolved.
A total of 50 species were counted (marked in bold), of which 12 are endemic to Guadeloupe (marked in yellow above). Generally I followed the treatment by Robinson & Fields (to be consistent with data for other islands). Only taxa have been counted if they were listed by at least two of the three sources, unless recent collected material was present.
New taxa (14): Plekocheilus
10-04-2009 09:27
Finally, there is a peculiar species from the eastern
tepui region,
Plekocheilus
(Eurytus)
sophiae
from Yuraní-tepui.
The holotype is also in the Florida museum, UF 24413. This is the single specimen currently known, but since it is so peculiar I ventured to describe it as a new species.
The holotype is also in the Florida museum, UF 24413. This is the single specimen currently known, but since it is so peculiar I ventured to describe it as a new species.
New taxa (13): Plekocheilus
09-04-2009 08:26
Two more new species, originating from the same Cerro
de la Neblina expedition mentioned
here.
It are congeneric, sympatric species of
Plekocheilus
(Eurytus).
The first is P. (E.) huberi, named after Otto Huber who as a botanist has devoted his career to the tepui area. Holotype UF 284764.
The second is P. (E.) nebulosus. Holotype UF 284723. It is from the Cerro de la Neblina massif, which lends its name to this taxon.
The first is P. (E.) huberi, named after Otto Huber who as a botanist has devoted his career to the tepui area. Holotype UF 284764.
The second is P. (E.) nebulosus. Holotype UF 284723. It is from the Cerro de la Neblina massif, which lends its name to this taxon.
New taxa (12): Plekocheilus
08-04-2009 19:10
A second new species from Venezuela Guayana is
Plekocheilus
(Eurytus)
tepuiensis.
The holotype, and only specimen so far known, is a
subadult. However, the colouration and the sculpture
of the last whorl sets it apart from all taxa
previously described.
It was collected on Cerro Yapacana. The holotype is in the Leiden museum, RMNH 112031.
It was collected on Cerro Yapacana. The holotype is in the Leiden museum, RMNH 112031.
New taxa (11): Drymaeus
07-04-2009 07:50
The first new species that I would like to mention
from my
paper
on the tepuis from Venezuelan Guayana, is
Drymaeus
(D.)
rex
spec.nov.
The name was given for three reasons. First of all, it is a tribute to the herpetologist Roy McDiarmid who has always paid attention to snails and who collected the types. The epithet also refers to ‘ruadh’, an old word from Scottish Gealic which means red; it refers to the reddish apex that may be present in this taxon. Finally it refers to the majestical appearance of the living animal.
The holotype is in the Florida museum, UF 284726. All type material was collected during the interdisciplinary expedition to Cerro de la Neblina in 1983-1987, led by Charles Brewer-Carias.
The name was given for three reasons. First of all, it is a tribute to the herpetologist Roy McDiarmid who has always paid attention to snails and who collected the types. The epithet also refers to ‘ruadh’, an old word from Scottish Gealic which means red; it refers to the reddish apex that may be present in this taxon. Finally it refers to the majestical appearance of the living animal.
The holotype is in the Florida museum, UF 284726. All type material was collected during the interdisciplinary expedition to Cerro de la Neblina in 1983-1987, led by Charles Brewer-Carias.
A new paper
06-04-2009 17:37
Today my paper on a revision of the Orthalicidae from
Venezuelan Guayana was published in
Zootaxa.
Later this week more on it.
Later this week more on it.
New taxa (10): Araucocharopa
18-03-2009 20:14
Minute snails are the Cinderellas of every
malacofauna. Often hard to find and poorly known.
In the Neotropical family Charopidae doubtless many new species are to be described. Recently such a new species was described, for which also a new genus was erected: Araucocharopa gallardoi Miquel & Cádiz Lorca.
It is perhaps merely coincidental that this novelty is described from Chile, like the species mentioned in this post and this one. The type locality is Chile, XIV Région, provincia de Valdivia, Reserva Costera Valdiviana. The holotype is in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Santiago.
There is a useful discussion included in the paper, describing the relations with several other genera of Charopidae, Helicodiscidae and Endodontidae.
Although the paper has a header indicating it was published in 2008, the authors sent me a PDF named “Miquel-CádizLorca2009” which leads me to believe that it was only just published.
Reference
Miquel, S.E. & Cádiz Lorca, F.J., 2008 [2009]. Araucocharopa gallardoi gen. et sp. n. de Charopidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) del sur de Chile. - Revista Museo Argentino Ciencias Naturales, n.s., 10: 329-340.
In the Neotropical family Charopidae doubtless many new species are to be described. Recently such a new species was described, for which also a new genus was erected: Araucocharopa gallardoi Miquel & Cádiz Lorca.
It is perhaps merely coincidental that this novelty is described from Chile, like the species mentioned in this post and this one. The type locality is Chile, XIV Région, provincia de Valdivia, Reserva Costera Valdiviana. The holotype is in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Santiago.
There is a useful discussion included in the paper, describing the relations with several other genera of Charopidae, Helicodiscidae and Endodontidae.
Although the paper has a header indicating it was published in 2008, the authors sent me a PDF named “Miquel-CádizLorca2009” which leads me to believe that it was only just published.
Reference
Miquel, S.E. & Cádiz Lorca, F.J., 2008 [2009]. Araucocharopa gallardoi gen. et sp. n. de Charopidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) del sur de Chile. - Revista Museo Argentino Ciencias Naturales, n.s., 10: 329-340.
New taxa (9): Bostryx
14-01-2009 21:51
Also recently, some new species were published
of
Bostryx.
They were discovered during the revision of
manuscript names of Weyrauch and occur both in Peru,
Dept. Lima, Río Rimac valley.
The type locality of Bostryx primigenius sp.n. is El Infernillo, the pass through which both the highway and the train to La Oroya passes.
There is a gradual transition to the next species in a hybrid zone near Tambo de Viso, which is the type locality of Bostryx multiconspectus sp.n.
So far, it remains unknown what drives the peculiar transition and the carinated shape at this locality. “Ecological stress”, as suggested by Craig? Or some other mechanism? And what is the evolutionary advantage? Questions that remain to be solved...
Reference
Breure, A.S.H., 2008. Carination strikes the eye: extreme shell shapes and sibling species in three Andean genera of the Orthalicidae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). - Zoologische Mededelingen 82: 499-514.
The type locality of Bostryx primigenius sp.n. is El Infernillo, the pass through which both the highway and the train to La Oroya passes.
There is a gradual transition to the next species in a hybrid zone near Tambo de Viso, which is the type locality of Bostryx multiconspectus sp.n.
So far, it remains unknown what drives the peculiar transition and the carinated shape at this locality. “Ecological stress”, as suggested by Craig? Or some other mechanism? And what is the evolutionary advantage? Questions that remain to be solved...
Reference
Breure, A.S.H., 2008. Carination strikes the eye: extreme shell shapes and sibling species in three Andean genera of the Orthalicidae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). - Zoologische Mededelingen 82: 499-514.
New taxa (8): Columbinia
13-01-2009 19:57
So far only orthalicid species are known from the
tepuis in Venezuelan Guayana. Fred Thompson just
described the first (but not the last?) Clausiliidae
from that region, collected during a very brief visit
to Cerro de la Neblina in 1984. This is the holotype
of
Columbinia
exul
sp.n. (UF 48631):
As the tepuis are geologically very old sandstone formations and there soils are acidic, they constitute special habitats to snails. Clausiliidae are more commonly found in more calcium-rich environments and the occurrence of this species on this isolated mountain is surely remarkable.
Conchologically, the species bears close resemblance to Neniops smithiae (Pilsbry, 1901), occurring in the isolated Sierra de Santa Marta, Colombia.
It is certainly possible that additional sampling on these tepuis will reveal other clausiliid species.
Reference
Thompson, F.G., 2008. The Clausiliid landsnail genus Columbinia in Venezuela, and the description of a new species. - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 137: 127-132.
As the tepuis are geologically very old sandstone formations and there soils are acidic, they constitute special habitats to snails. Clausiliidae are more commonly found in more calcium-rich environments and the occurrence of this species on this isolated mountain is surely remarkable.
Conchologically, the species bears close resemblance to Neniops smithiae (Pilsbry, 1901), occurring in the isolated Sierra de Santa Marta, Colombia.
It is certainly possible that additional sampling on these tepuis will reveal other clausiliid species.
Reference
Thompson, F.G., 2008. The Clausiliid landsnail genus Columbinia in Venezuela, and the description of a new species. - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 137: 127-132.
New taxa (7): Chilean Charopidae
10-01-2009 14:31
From the same publication mentioned in
this
post,
a new minute land shell:
Chillius
pyramidalis
(gen.nov., spec.nov.). It was described from the same
type locality: Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype
Universidad Concepción 26777) and belongs to the
family Charopidae.
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
New taxa (6): Chilean Punctidae
07-01-2009 21:49
Speaking on Chilean land snails recently, I like to
draw attention to a new species (and a new genus)
that was described some years ago by Vargas &
Stuardo,
Pichikadi
hualpensis.
It was described from Chile, VIII Región, Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype Universidad Concepción 26799).
Carl Christensen remarked that it is very similar to Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), a punctid from New Zealand that is now rapidly spreading into the New World and Europe.
Comparing it to this species, the similarities are indeed striking and the dimensions are the same. However, I’m not a specialist in Punctidae and I will give no final verdict here.
Carl, thanks for the note!
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
It was described from Chile, VIII Región, Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype Universidad Concepción 26799).
Carl Christensen remarked that it is very similar to Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), a punctid from New Zealand that is now rapidly spreading into the New World and Europe.
Comparing it to this species, the similarities are indeed striking and the dimensions are the same. However, I’m not a specialist in Punctidae and I will give no final verdict here.
Carl, thanks for the note!
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
A biogeographical enigma
07-12-2008 12:03
This qualification is given to Easter Island, an
island that politically speaking belongs to the
Neotropics (it is part of Chile). Jared Diamond used
Easter Island as one of the cases in his book
Collapse (2004), in which he illustrated how ancient
cultures vanished and how modern cultures are
vulnerable for it. (I propose you look at
this review,
written in 2005, to read some context for the
current situation).
There is a comprehensive review of the terrestrial mollusks by Boyko & Cordeiro (2001), who list six species. Most of them are more or less cosmopolitan species and introduced by human activities. Only Pacificella variabilis Odhner, 1922 is confined to the Pacific.
Now there is a new paper by Kirch et al.* on the malacofauna of this island, for which malacological reports are scarce. The authors not only report three additional introduced species, but also describe a subfossil new endemic one: Hotumatua anakenana gen.nov, spec.nov.
Although Easter Island has now only a very impoverished land snail fauna, Kirch et al. suspect that the island once had a much richer terrestrial fauna. This paper is evidence of that fact.
References:
Boyko, C.B. & Cordeiro, J.R., 2001. The terrestrial Mollusca of Easter Island (Gastropoda, Pulmonata). - Basteria 65: 17-25.
Diamond, J., 2004. Collapse. North Point Press, New York.
Kirch, P.V., Christensen, C.C. & Steadman, D.W., 2009. Subfossil land snails from Easter Island, including Hotumatua anakenana, new genus and species (Pulmonata: Achatinellidae). - Pacific Science 63: 105-122.
There is a comprehensive review of the terrestrial mollusks by Boyko & Cordeiro (2001), who list six species. Most of them are more or less cosmopolitan species and introduced by human activities. Only Pacificella variabilis Odhner, 1922 is confined to the Pacific.
Now there is a new paper by Kirch et al.* on the malacofauna of this island, for which malacological reports are scarce. The authors not only report three additional introduced species, but also describe a subfossil new endemic one: Hotumatua anakenana gen.nov, spec.nov.
Although Easter Island has now only a very impoverished land snail fauna, Kirch et al. suspect that the island once had a much richer terrestrial fauna. This paper is evidence of that fact.
References:
Boyko, C.B. & Cordeiro, J.R., 2001. The terrestrial Mollusca of Easter Island (Gastropoda, Pulmonata). - Basteria 65: 17-25.
Diamond, J., 2004. Collapse. North Point Press, New York.
Kirch, P.V., Christensen, C.C. & Steadman, D.W., 2009. Subfossil land snails from Easter Island, including Hotumatua anakenana, new genus and species (Pulmonata: Achatinellidae). - Pacific Science 63: 105-122.
New taxa (5): Annulariidae
26-11-2008 11:29
Continuing the series on new species, I realized it
be better called new taxa in order to include also
supraspecific new introduced names.
Today a number of such names, introduced by Thomas Watters for the Annulariidae. This family of land snails is huge, with about 1400 nominal taxa described of which Watters retains ca. 700 as valid species. The distribution is focussed on the Caribbean, with some groups occurring in Florida, Central American and northern South America.
From top to bottom: Blaesiospira echinus (Pfeiffer, 1864), Chrodropomartes irradians (Pfeiffer, 1852), Xenopoma hystris (Pfeiffer, 1862).
New taxa:
Tudorinae subfamily nov.
Chittypoma gen.nov. Type species: Adamsiella jarvisi Henderson, 1901
Goulidipoma gen.nov. Type species: Chondropoma callipeplum Solem, 1961
Halotudora gen.nov. Type species: Cyclostoma radiosum Morelet, 1849
Megannularia gen.nov. Type species: Turbo pulcher Wood, 1828
Samanicola gen.nov. Type species: Incertipoma nesiotes Bartsch, 1946
Saulaepoma gen.nov. Type species: Cyclostoma sauliae Sowerby, 1843
His work is a milestone for this - often considered as difficult - family, giving a new scheme for the higher taxa and references to taxa on the species level. For the latter the following data are provided: depository of types, type locality, if the type has been figured, current taxonomy, remarks, synonymy, distributional range and etymology.
The only thing I was missing is an index.
Reference:
Watters, G.T., 2006. The Caribbean land snail family Annulariidae: a revision of the higher taxa and a catalog of the species. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers, 557 + 9 unnumbered pages + appendix (3 pp.).
Today a number of such names, introduced by Thomas Watters for the Annulariidae. This family of land snails is huge, with about 1400 nominal taxa described of which Watters retains ca. 700 as valid species. The distribution is focussed on the Caribbean, with some groups occurring in Florida, Central American and northern South America.
From top to bottom: Blaesiospira echinus (Pfeiffer, 1864), Chrodropomartes irradians (Pfeiffer, 1852), Xenopoma hystris (Pfeiffer, 1862).
New taxa:
Tudorinae subfamily nov.
Chittypoma gen.nov. Type species: Adamsiella jarvisi Henderson, 1901
Goulidipoma gen.nov. Type species: Chondropoma callipeplum Solem, 1961
Halotudora gen.nov. Type species: Cyclostoma radiosum Morelet, 1849
Megannularia gen.nov. Type species: Turbo pulcher Wood, 1828
Samanicola gen.nov. Type species: Incertipoma nesiotes Bartsch, 1946
Saulaepoma gen.nov. Type species: Cyclostoma sauliae Sowerby, 1843
His work is a milestone for this - often considered as difficult - family, giving a new scheme for the higher taxa and references to taxa on the species level. For the latter the following data are provided: depository of types, type locality, if the type has been figured, current taxonomy, remarks, synonymy, distributional range and etymology.
The only thing I was missing is an index.
Reference:
Watters, G.T., 2006. The Caribbean land snail family Annulariidae: a revision of the higher taxa and a catalog of the species. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers, 557 + 9 unnumbered pages + appendix (3 pp.).
Eponyms, the edge between taxonomy and biohistory
22-11-2008 11:14
Taxonomists have one preference that other biologists
are missing, viz. to choose freely - within the
limits of the ICZN-rules - the name of any new taxon
they describe. Part of the rules regulate the naming
of persons and these eponyms can tell us something
about the social network of taxonomists.
Most eponyms are clearly recognizable at first glance. And often the author mentions a reason why he has chosen to name a taxon after (a) certain person(s). But not always and in the past it was not always custom to give an etymology. Moreover, besides the ‘obvious’ ones, there are ‘hidden’ eponyms. Examples of this latter category are Cyathopoma tres Van Bruggen, 2008 (named after E. Gittenberger, A.J. de Winter and I. La Croix) and Gliberti prosperi Van der Meulen, 1951 (named after the Dutch malacologist J. Voorwinde, who’s name means “they who sailed before the wind” i.e. prosperous).
There are taxonomists who have a horror of eponyms, and other who seem to be really fond of them. The ‘strict school’ wants all taxon names to reflect characteristics of the taxon or the geographical area where it was found. My personal stand is that sometimes this is preferable indeed, but sometimes it is just a pleasure to name a new taxon after an esteemed colleague or to honor the person who collected the specimens. Or to make a combination, like in the case of Van Bruggen’s eponym...
Gijs Kronenberg, to whom I’m grateful for exchanging some thoughts on this topic, will publish an updated list on the eponyms of Dutch malacologists at the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Dutch Malacological Society in 2009.
Most eponyms are clearly recognizable at first glance. And often the author mentions a reason why he has chosen to name a taxon after (a) certain person(s). But not always and in the past it was not always custom to give an etymology. Moreover, besides the ‘obvious’ ones, there are ‘hidden’ eponyms. Examples of this latter category are Cyathopoma tres Van Bruggen, 2008 (named after E. Gittenberger, A.J. de Winter and I. La Croix) and Gliberti prosperi Van der Meulen, 1951 (named after the Dutch malacologist J. Voorwinde, who’s name means “they who sailed before the wind” i.e. prosperous).
There are taxonomists who have a horror of eponyms, and other who seem to be really fond of them. The ‘strict school’ wants all taxon names to reflect characteristics of the taxon or the geographical area where it was found. My personal stand is that sometimes this is preferable indeed, but sometimes it is just a pleasure to name a new taxon after an esteemed colleague or to honor the person who collected the specimens. Or to make a combination, like in the case of Van Bruggen’s eponym...
Gijs Kronenberg, to whom I’m grateful for exchanging some thoughts on this topic, will publish an updated list on the eponyms of Dutch malacologists at the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Dutch Malacological Society in 2009.
E-paper, no blogging
09-11-2008 16:07
Can we make a leap into the future? Yes we can!
The ICZN has published a proposal to allow for electronic publications of taxonomic acts in accordance with the Code. This should facilitate the exchange of literature amoung taxonomists and accelerate the progress. Is it revolutionary?
The Commission requires a registration of new taxa with Zoobank for any new name to be published validly. This site is still in prototype status and when I searched today for “Mollusca” I found only one name (Mollusca Linneaus, 1758) and 32 publications listed (all from Zootaxa, which cannot be a matter of change). So there remains some work to do before this will be fully operationally and maybe that is the reason why the Commission sets 2010 as starting date for this requirement. Nevertheless, hopefully I will be able to register my next new taxa in the proposed way.
Of course, electronic publishing doesn’t warrant that everybody can see the paper from anywhere in the world. Open access is the only answer to this. However, this would clearly oppose the business model of scientific publishers. In this respect the proposal isn’t revolutionary at all, but it may still appear to be a big leap forward.
One reassurance for those who want not only to see new publications but also like to feel them on printed paper. After all, nothing more pleasant than to have a paper in your hand (?). I suspect, however, that libraries in their classical form will remain as a source for taxonomic literature for a long time. A place also to meet people and exchange ideas. You simply cannot neglect the social side of taxonomy...
One thing for sure, even if the proposal comes into force, blogging is still not considered a valid publication. Let’s hope that this will remain so for a very long time. You shouldn’t take a blogger too serious!
The ICZN has published a proposal to allow for electronic publications of taxonomic acts in accordance with the Code. This should facilitate the exchange of literature amoung taxonomists and accelerate the progress. Is it revolutionary?
The Commission requires a registration of new taxa with Zoobank for any new name to be published validly. This site is still in prototype status and when I searched today for “Mollusca” I found only one name (Mollusca Linneaus, 1758) and 32 publications listed (all from Zootaxa, which cannot be a matter of change). So there remains some work to do before this will be fully operationally and maybe that is the reason why the Commission sets 2010 as starting date for this requirement. Nevertheless, hopefully I will be able to register my next new taxa in the proposed way.
Of course, electronic publishing doesn’t warrant that everybody can see the paper from anywhere in the world. Open access is the only answer to this. However, this would clearly oppose the business model of scientific publishers. In this respect the proposal isn’t revolutionary at all, but it may still appear to be a big leap forward.
One reassurance for those who want not only to see new publications but also like to feel them on printed paper. After all, nothing more pleasant than to have a paper in your hand (?). I suspect, however, that libraries in their classical form will remain as a source for taxonomic literature for a long time. A place also to meet people and exchange ideas. You simply cannot neglect the social side of taxonomy...
One thing for sure, even if the proposal comes into force, blogging is still not considered a valid publication. Let’s hope that this will remain so for a very long time. You shouldn’t take a blogger too serious!
New species (3): Bostryx from Peru
28-10-2008 07:50
In the Gittenberger issue of Basteria there was
finally a third contribution about Neotropical land
snails, viz. a paper by Neubert and me about Bostryx.
It is a preliminary report on
Weyrauch’s MS. names.
There are three new species mentioned in this paper.
The first one is Bostryx cajacayensis spec.nov. from Dept. Ancash, near Cajacay, Caracayoc (holotype SMF 156395). As we were unable to locate the precise locality of the latter name, we have chosen this epithet which was also used by Weyrauch.
The second species is Bostryx granulatus spec.nov. and the reason for this name will be evident from the figure above. The type locality is Yauyos, in the Río Cañete valley, Dept. Lima. Holotype SMF 162178.
Finally we described Bostryx edmundi spec.nov. for another species from the Río Cañete valley, which is somewhat variable but the morphometrics showed to be into one range.
Reference:
Breure, A.S.H. & Neubert, E., 2008. A preliminary revision of Weyrauch’s unpublished names: taxa of the genus Bostryx Troschel, 1847 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthalicidae). - Basteria 72: 319-330.
The first one is Bostryx cajacayensis spec.nov. from Dept. Ancash, near Cajacay, Caracayoc (holotype SMF 156395). As we were unable to locate the precise locality of the latter name, we have chosen this epithet which was also used by Weyrauch.
The second species is Bostryx granulatus spec.nov. and the reason for this name will be evident from the figure above. The type locality is Yauyos, in the Río Cañete valley, Dept. Lima. Holotype SMF 162178.
Finally we described Bostryx edmundi spec.nov. for another species from the Río Cañete valley, which is somewhat variable but the morphometrics showed to be into one range.
Reference:
Breure, A.S.H. & Neubert, E., 2008. A preliminary revision of Weyrauch’s unpublished names: taxa of the genus Bostryx Troschel, 1847 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthalicidae). - Basteria 72: 319-330.
New species (1): Sterkia gittenbergeri
24-10-2008 07:31
The first species in this new series is a tribute
both to the author and to the honoured person:
Sterkia gittenbergeri Hausdorf, 2008.
It was described from Peru, Dept. Amazonas, 20 km from Balsas on the road to Leymebamba. Type material ZMH 37952.
There is a third person in play which I want to give credit, viz. Jens Hemmen, who collected the specimens.
Reference:
Hausdorf, B., 2008. Sterkia gittenbergeri new species from Northern Peru (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Vertiginidae). - Basteria 72: 183-185.
It was described from Peru, Dept. Amazonas, 20 km from Balsas on the road to Leymebamba. Type material ZMH 37952.
There is a third person in play which I want to give credit, viz. Jens Hemmen, who collected the specimens.
Reference:
Hausdorf, B., 2008. Sterkia gittenbergeri new species from Northern Peru (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Vertiginidae). - Basteria 72: 183-185.
New species, new series
23-10-2008 19:22
It is well-known: despite the fact that probably many
species are condemned to extinction due to the
‘biodiversity crisis’, new species are described with
great regularity. Hence I will draw attention to any
new species of land snail from the Neotropics, not
only to highlight the increase of our knowledge but
also as a commemoration of those species who have
gone extinct, are endangered or are vulnerable.
Thanks to human’s never lasting greediness. See the
Red List and
my
post
on that topic.
Priority = time, but place matters
21-10-2008 08:41
The rule is simple. He who publishes a taxon first
has priority with his name (provided that the
ICZN-rules are followed). This rule can effect the
choice of the outlet. There is a vast array of
journals, often with their own target groups, but
only a limited number of them will publish taxonomic
works. One could expect a ‘natural selection’ towards
the more well-known, international journals.
Especially since many scientists are longing to have
their papers published in ISI-rated journals (the
dream of many taxonomists is to have once a paper in
Nature or Science, few are lucky enough to reach
their goal). However, there are always exceptions for
whatever reasons. But even then the importance of the
outlet can matter. An (non-Neotropical) example may
illustrate this.
In 2006 Christian Altaba described a fossil helicodontid from Mallorca as Darderia bellverica, and submitted his paper to a journal which was published early 2007. The same taxon has been described as Oestophora cuerdai by Quintana, Vicens & Pons, 2007. The result was a discussion about the publication date*, largely due to the fact that both journals were published later than the year in which the volume was due. This highlights the role of the editor and his sense for precision, viz. to clearly and correctly state the actual date of publication on the cover. High-standards journals are then clearly in advantage. But ultimately it is the author who chooses in which journal he wants to publish his paper. Especially when describing new taxa, this example tells us how the place can matter.
References:
Altaba, C.R., 2006 [2007]. A new land snail from the Quartenary of Mallora (Belearic Islands, Western Medeiterranean): Darderia bellverica n.gen n.sp. (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicondontidae). - Anim. Biod. Cons. 29: 195-200.
*Altaba, C.R., 2007. Reply to Quintana et al. (2007): Darderia bellverica Altaba, 2007 is the correct name for the Mallorcan fossil helicondontid. - Spira 2: 191-196.
Quintana, J., Vicens, D. & Pons, G.X., 2006 [2007]. A new species of the genus Oestrophora Hesse, 1907 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Trissexodontidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of Mallorca (Belearic Islands, Western Mediterranean). - Bol. Soc. Hist. Nat. Bal. 49: 51-58.
*Quintana, J., Pons, G.X. & Vicens, D., 2007. Algunas anotaciones criticas sobre Oestrophora cuerdai Quintana, Vicens et Pons, 2006 (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Helicodontidae). - Spira 2: 157-162.
Update:
Christian Altaba (pers. comm.) suggested that ZooBank could solve this kind of situations once it is fully operational. I think he is right.
In 2006 Christian Altaba described a fossil helicodontid from Mallorca as Darderia bellverica, and submitted his paper to a journal which was published early 2007. The same taxon has been described as Oestophora cuerdai by Quintana, Vicens & Pons, 2007. The result was a discussion about the publication date*, largely due to the fact that both journals were published later than the year in which the volume was due. This highlights the role of the editor and his sense for precision, viz. to clearly and correctly state the actual date of publication on the cover. High-standards journals are then clearly in advantage. But ultimately it is the author who chooses in which journal he wants to publish his paper. Especially when describing new taxa, this example tells us how the place can matter.
References:
Altaba, C.R., 2006 [2007]. A new land snail from the Quartenary of Mallora (Belearic Islands, Western Medeiterranean): Darderia bellverica n.gen n.sp. (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicondontidae). - Anim. Biod. Cons. 29: 195-200.
*Altaba, C.R., 2007. Reply to Quintana et al. (2007): Darderia bellverica Altaba, 2007 is the correct name for the Mallorcan fossil helicondontid. - Spira 2: 191-196.
Quintana, J., Vicens, D. & Pons, G.X., 2006 [2007]. A new species of the genus Oestrophora Hesse, 1907 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Trissexodontidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of Mallorca (Belearic Islands, Western Mediterranean). - Bol. Soc. Hist. Nat. Bal. 49: 51-58.
*Quintana, J., Pons, G.X. & Vicens, D., 2007. Algunas anotaciones criticas sobre Oestrophora cuerdai Quintana, Vicens et Pons, 2006 (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Helicodontidae). - Spira 2: 157-162.
Update:
Christian Altaba (pers. comm.) suggested that ZooBank could solve this kind of situations once it is fully operational. I think he is right.
A poor man's science?
07-07-2008 16:26
My newspaper had this weekend a small article on
taxonomy in their science section. This time, not one
of the thrilling new findings that make it to the
headlines from time to time. But about one of the
essences of taxonomic work: identifying new species
and giving them a proper name.
While it is not uncommon for any taxonomist to use the names of friends and esteemed colleagues, this is quite something else. New names are for sale! Some research institutions offer them, starting at 5000 US$. Sell by auction.
If I ever thought that taxonomy is a poor man's science, this is the sad proof!
While it is not uncommon for any taxonomist to use the names of friends and esteemed colleagues, this is quite something else. New names are for sale! Some research institutions offer them, starting at 5000 US$. Sell by auction.
If I ever thought that taxonomy is a poor man's science, this is the sad proof!