Abstract
The European marine fauna used to be considered to include 16 species of Discodoris sea slugs until a recent worldwide revision demonstrated that there is not a single Discodoris species in European waters. This exemplary case illustrates the fact that species checklists do not accurately represent biodiversity unless they are based on sound taxonomic work in which (1) the status of every available species name has been addressed, i.e. whether it is valid, synonymous, or of doubtful application, and (2) classification reflects phylogenetic relationships. It is argued that taxonomic revisions are critically needed, because the status of species names can only be addressed properly through revisions. It is discussed that fields which depend on taxonomic data, such as conservation biology and ecology, might be affected deeply if problematic species names (synonyms and nomina dubia) have not been recognized. Consequently, it is proposed that a taxon that has not been revised be red-flagged in checklists, so that non-taxonomists will know which species names should be applied with caution or not at all.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-82 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Organisms Diversity and Evolution |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2011 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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A warning for ecologists and conservation biologists using species checklists : How the European marine fauna 'lost' all of its 16 Discodoris species (Mollusca: Gastropoda). / Dayrat, Benoît.
In: Organisms Diversity and Evolution, Vol. 11, No. 1, 01.03.2011, p. 75-82.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A warning for ecologists and conservation biologists using species checklists
T2 - How the European marine fauna 'lost' all of its 16 Discodoris species (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
AU - Dayrat, Benoît
PY - 2011/3/1
Y1 - 2011/3/1
N2 - The European marine fauna used to be considered to include 16 species of Discodoris sea slugs until a recent worldwide revision demonstrated that there is not a single Discodoris species in European waters. This exemplary case illustrates the fact that species checklists do not accurately represent biodiversity unless they are based on sound taxonomic work in which (1) the status of every available species name has been addressed, i.e. whether it is valid, synonymous, or of doubtful application, and (2) classification reflects phylogenetic relationships. It is argued that taxonomic revisions are critically needed, because the status of species names can only be addressed properly through revisions. It is discussed that fields which depend on taxonomic data, such as conservation biology and ecology, might be affected deeply if problematic species names (synonyms and nomina dubia) have not been recognized. Consequently, it is proposed that a taxon that has not been revised be red-flagged in checklists, so that non-taxonomists will know which species names should be applied with caution or not at all.
AB - The European marine fauna used to be considered to include 16 species of Discodoris sea slugs until a recent worldwide revision demonstrated that there is not a single Discodoris species in European waters. This exemplary case illustrates the fact that species checklists do not accurately represent biodiversity unless they are based on sound taxonomic work in which (1) the status of every available species name has been addressed, i.e. whether it is valid, synonymous, or of doubtful application, and (2) classification reflects phylogenetic relationships. It is argued that taxonomic revisions are critically needed, because the status of species names can only be addressed properly through revisions. It is discussed that fields which depend on taxonomic data, such as conservation biology and ecology, might be affected deeply if problematic species names (synonyms and nomina dubia) have not been recognized. Consequently, it is proposed that a taxon that has not been revised be red-flagged in checklists, so that non-taxonomists will know which species names should be applied with caution or not at all.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79954426539&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79954426539&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13127-010-0036-9
DO - 10.1007/s13127-010-0036-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79954426539
VL - 11
SP - 75
EP - 82
JO - Organisms Diversity and Evolution
JF - Organisms Diversity and Evolution
SN - 1439-6092
IS - 1
ER -