Algal taxonomy: a road to nowhere?

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Botany
• Biodiversity Science

Background:

• Traditional views perceive taxonomy as outdated, struggling with the biodiversity crisis.
• Algal diversity cataloging faces scrutiny regarding its capacity and progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current status of global algal diversity cataloging.
• To counter the pessimistic belief in taxonomy's decline.
• To assess trends in algal species description and taxonomist activity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of species description rates over time using AlgaeBase data.
• Examination of trends in the number of active algal taxonomists.
• Evaluation of accumulation curves for higher taxonomic levels (family, order, class).

Main Results:

• Algal species description rates and taxonomist numbers show a positive trend, contrary to pessimistic views.
• A significant proportion of undiscovered algal diversity persists, impacting future cataloging predictions.
• Higher taxonomic levels (family, order, class) show signs of saturation, indicating most diversity is discovered at these ranks.

Conclusions:

• Algal taxonomy is active and productive, but substantial undiscovered diversity presents challenges.
• Cryptic diversity and evolving methodologies create uncertainty in species status, leading to informal naming systems.
• Integrating historical collections and establishing international consensus on data management are crucial for the future of algal taxonomy.