Species names based on photographs: debate closed

Area of Science:

• Zoological taxonomy
• Biodiversity informatics
• Scientific nomenclature

Background:

• The practice of naming new species based solely on photographic evidence, without a physical type specimen, is a contentious issue in zoological taxonomy.
• This debate has historical precedent, with significant discussions occurring in the journal Zootaxa around 2007-2009.
• A notable case that reignited the discussion involved the critically endangered Galápagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae), which was described without a preserved holotype.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the ongoing discussions and historical context surrounding the description of new species using only photographs.
• To highlight the taxonomic and nomenclatural implications of establishing new taxa without physical type specimens.
• To analyze the arguments presented in previous debates and their relevance to current taxonomic practices.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of relevant publications in zoological taxonomy journals, particularly Zootaxa.
• Analysis of case studies, including the description of Conolophus marthae.
• Examination of the historical progression of arguments regarding photographic evidence in species descriptions.

Main Results:

• The issue of naming species from photographs without preserved specimens is not novel, having been debated extensively in the past.
• The description of Conolophus marthae serves as a recent example that brought these long-standing taxonomic debates to the forefront.
• A series of opinions and rebuttals followed the description of Conolophus marthae, underscoring the lack of consensus on the matter.

Conclusions:

• The debate on species descriptions based on photographs without holotypes continues to be a relevant and recurring topic in zoological taxonomy.
• Establishing clear guidelines and achieving consensus on the acceptance of photographic evidence for new species descriptions remains a challenge.
• Further discussion and potential policy development are needed to address the implications of digital data in taxonomic practice.