[Taxacom] Integrative taxonomy

[Stephen Thorpe]

I don't see a problem here that needs fixing! If anyone, gel-jockey or 
traditional taxonomist thinks they have a novelty - then describe it as a new 
species (in full compliance with the ICZN/ICBN). At the end of the day, it is up 
to the user to decide to treat any name as valid or synonym, just as it is with 
the names of Wells, Hoser, etc. The issue of subspecies is another matter 
altogether, connected more with the issue of geographical variation (basically, 
subspecies are discrete geographic variants, as opposed to clines). We don't 
need candidate names for possible novelties, when regular names will do. The 
issue would be less of an issue if editors/reviewers etc. would just let 
taxonomists describe new taxa in a bare bones no frills way, in order to give 
them official names ...




________________________________
From: Bob Mesibov <mesibov at southcom.com.au>
To: Richard Pyle <deepreef at bishopmuseum.org>
Cc: Stephen Thorpe <stephen_thorpe at yahoo.co.nz>; TAXACOM 
<taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu>
Sent: Sun, 1 August, 2010 6:00:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Integrative taxonomy

Richard Pyle wrote:

'To even consider recognition as a "candidate species", we have to assume there 
is some minimal level of "consistent morphological [or genotypical] 
differences". When these differences are "too small to indicate reproductive 
isolation" with sufficient confidence to justify a full-species name, then a 
candidate species may be warranted. In my mind, this is exactly the sort of 
situation when we ought to consider subspecies designators.'

Subspecies of what? Only validly named and described species? The authors of the 
FIZ article suggest candidate names for possible novelties. Because these cannot 
be included as subspecies anywhere, would you prefer leaving them in limbo, or 
do you see (as the authors do) the need for publication with a coding system?
-- 
Dr Robert Mesibov
Honorary Research Associate
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, and
School of Zoology, University of Tasmania
Home contact: PO Box 101, Penguin, Tasmania, Australia 7316
03 64371195; 61 3 64371195
Webpage: http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/?articleID=570