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eBook details
- Title: Nomenclatural Problems Among Thysanoptera (Insecta) of Costa Rica (Forum)
- Author : Revista de Biologia Tropical
- Release Date : January 01, 2008
- Genre: Life Sciences,Books,Science & Nature,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 83 KB
Description
Biological taxonomy is unique amongst the sciences. In most sciences an obviously false hypothesis will be ignored. In contrast, a new taxon name and the biological hypothesis this name implies must be fully considered by subsequent taxonomists, so long as the name meets the minimal requirements of the relevant Code of Nomenclature. However, establishing that the author of a new taxon has published incorrect data, or drawn conclusions that are at variance with pre-existing biological knowledge, can involve more extensive research than that involved in the faulty publication. Commenting on one recent example, Mound and zur Strassen (2001) noted the absence of biological evidence to support the description by Johansen and Mojica-Guzman (1999) of a large number of new species of Scirtothrips collected mainly from two tree crops in Mexico. Subsequently, extensive field studies and DNA analyses have confirmed that only one species of Scirtothrips occurs in Mexico and Guatemala on Avocado (Persea americana), and examination of the holotypes of five of the "new species" has resulted in their formal synonymy (Hoddle et al. 2008). These extensive, and expensive, revisionary studies were required because of the quarantine significance of so many apparent pest species on avocados. The 18 Scirtothrips species described from Mexico on mango (Mangifera indica), a tree crop not native to the Americas, will require similar extensive studies. Taxonomy requires a combination of good technical methods and critical scholarship. For thrips taxonomy this involves the examination of well-prepared microscope slides, using good optical apparatus, and the preparation of skilled illustrations and descriptions, whilst taking into consideration published observations from previous workers, and placing all this within the context of our understanding of the biology of the insects. The large number of synonyms, more than 20% of available names worldwide, produced by workers on this group of insects (Gaston and Mound 1993) has arisen through repeated failure to recognize one or more of the above disciplines and procedures. This paper records similar problems that have arisen in recent years among several taxonomic publications on Thysanoptera from Costa Rica.