Accepting taxonomic decisions

[Riaan Stals, Flying]

Dear All:

Martin Tribe wrote:
> As far as I can see Warbling Vireo has been split into (Eastern) Warbling
> Vireo Vireo gilvus and Western Warbling Vireo Vireo swainsoni. What I want
> to know is:
> 1. Is this an accepted split?

Now I ask:

When should a non-specialist taxonomist (e.g. a non-Vireo chap) *not*
accept a taxonomic decision made by a specialist (i.e. a Vireo girl)?
If ever? Or never? How much leeway should a taxonomist have in
"interpreting" a taxonomic action taken by someone in a taxon other
than one's own speciality?

As an example, as budding curc / beetle person I have some doubts
about the proliferation of names (?taxa) in the South African
butterfly fauna. But who am I to [gently] challenge my Lep
colleagues? And as another example, a new family of beetles was
recently "split off" from an old,  larger family: should one
willy-nilly accept the latest published opinion on such a matter?


RIAAN STALS



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             RIAAN STALS
             VREHRS at PLANT5.AGRIC.ZA

         South African National Collection of Insects
         ARC - Plant  Protection  Research  Institute
         Private Bag X134  Pretoria 0002 South Africa
         Voice +27-12-323-8540    Fax +27-12-325-6998


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DISCLAIMER: My viewpoint does not necessarily coincide
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