[Taxacom] How far are we to completing a world, genus/specieslisting for animals

[Arthur Chapman]

Stephen, as mentioned by others Onychyphora is not a good example

Also the figure of 70-200 are from a range of published references - if 
you use the "World Described Accepted" the figure is 165, which has been 
arrived at following examination of the sub groups Peripatidae (75) and 
Peripatopsidae (90).  I have quoted the published figures which give a 
range, but have attempted to look at the most reliable figures from sub 
groups where available, and in this case from Reid's publication in the 
Australian Faunal Directory.  If you have more reliable figures, then 
please let me know and perhaps we can add those in future editions.

Where ever possible, I have published the range of estimates to give 
some idea of the lack of knowledge in some groups, but have attempted to 
come up with a final estimate based on best available information.

It is hoped that this publication can later be made a living document, 
whereby it can be continually updated as new information comes 
available, and allow for Wiki-like discussions where there may be 
disagreements.

Your second comment, "many of Chapman's sources are from Joel Hallan's 
Biology Catalogue!! " - is not true - very few of the final estimates 
are based on Joel's figures, although I quote his figures wherever 
available, as I do with any other published numbers.  Where his do 
appear to be reliable, and in the absence of contrary evidence, I have 
used his figures and do not apologise for doing that.

regards

Arthur

Message: 11
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 22:30:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Stephen Thorpe<stephen_thorpe at yahoo.co.nz>
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] How far are we to completing a world
	genus/specieslisting for animals
To:Tony.Rees at csiro.au,releech at telusplanet.net,
	joelhallan at hotmail.com,	taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Message-ID:<915123.78541.qm at web114220.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

OK, a quick look at a random small phylum (Onychophora,
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/other/species-numbers/2009/04-02-groups-invertebrates.html#onychophora)
  in Chapman, reveals a 70-200 World Described/
Accepted species. This is an alarmingly wide range for such a small phylum!

In an amusingly circular turn of argument, many of Chapman's sources are from
Joel Hallan's Biology Catalogue!!