[Taxacom] Identification by what method?

[Timothy Jones]

Rich,
So nice. Have had nothing but great responses,  yours included.  And thanks
for the number;  mind if I cite you in a pers. comm. on this 5-10% value?
Will be used in a poster at a meeting.
Tim

On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 2:13 AM, Richard Pyle <deepreef at bishopmuseum.org>
wrote:

> Hi Tim,
>
> In my experience, gene sequencing is used only in cases where there is
> substantial ambiguity of identification via traditional methods.  Again, in
> my experience, I would guess that it's used in my (ichthyological) context
> somewhere in the range of 5-10% of the time (that's generous -- if I
> actually gathered data, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a lower
> percentage).  But, of course, in my context, species boundaries have been
> generally well-drawn based on traditional methods of identification.  As
> that changes (i.e., as species boundaries become increasingly defined by
> data established by gene sequencing), I suspect the need for gene
> sequencing to establish reliable identifications will only increase.
>
> ....which leads me to the premise of your question (someone telling you
> that gene sequencing is the gold standard for identification in
> biodiversity).  I have little doubt that the forward track of this thread
> on Taxacom will trend towards that part of your email, rather than your
> actual question (which is why I tried to answer your real question first!)
> As I am currently in the field with tenuous internet access (and very
> limited time), I figured I'd get my quick shot in now...  Basically, it
> seems to me that most of us would agree that "Identification" is the
> process of mapping an organism (or population of organisms) to a taxon.
> Further, most of us represent a taxon through a Linnean-style name (or some
> sort of label associated with a Linnean-style name, like "Aus sp.32").
> And, finally, we'd like to think that we map Linnean-style species names to
> sets of organisms we regard to be the same taxon at a rank that a human
> thinks of as a "species".
>
> So... the extent to which gene sequencing is the "gold standard" for
> identification is tightly linked to the concept that gene sequencing is the
> "gold standard" for defining boundaries between distinct species.  I think
> the latter is still under substantial debate, and therefore the former is
> not necessarily universally agreed.
>
> Aloha,
>
> Rich
>
>
> Richard L. Pyle, PhD
> Database Coordinator for Natural Sciences | Associate Zoologist in
> Ichthyology | Dive Safety Officer
> Department of Natural Sciences, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu,
> HI 96817
> Ph: (808)848-4115, Fax: (808)847-8252 email: deepreef at bishopmuseum.org
> http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/staff/pylerichard.html
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Taxacom [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of
> > Timothy Jones
> > Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2015 3:54 PM
> > To: TAXACOM
> > Subject: [Taxacom] Identification by what method?
> >
> > Howdy All,
> >
> > Recently someone stated to me that the gold standard of biodiversity
> > identification was gene sequencing.   Which got me to thinking - how
> often
> > is gene sequencing used for ID as compared to traditional methods of
> > identification?  My Google-fu is strong and can find zilch out there.
> Anyone
> > know of any papers that discuss this?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> > --
> > Timothy M. Jones
> > Life Science Annex Building, Room A257
> > Louisiana State University
> > Baton Rouge, LA 70803
> > Website - http://www.herbarium.lsu.edu/keys/
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> > Celebrating 28 years of Taxacom in 2015.
>
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> Celebrating 28 years of Taxacom in 2015.
>



-- 
Timothy M. Jones
Life Science Annex Building, Room A257
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Website - http://www.herbarium.lsu.edu/keys/