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Does counting species count as taxonomy? On misrepresenting systematics, yet again.

Marcelo R de Carvalho¹, Malte C Ebach², David M Williams³

¹Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Trav. 14., no. 101, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil.

Cladistics : the International Journal of the Willi Hennig Society

|November 18, 2021

Summary

Taxonomy is not increasing simply by describing new species; professional taxonomy is declining, threatening systematics and comparative biology. True taxonomic practice requires empirically based classifications reflecting evolutionary history.

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Area of Science:

Systematics and Taxonomy
Evolutionary Biology
Biodiversity Science

Background:

Recent commentary suggests taxonomy is thriving based on the rate of new species descriptions.
This view perceives species as static metrics, overlooking the conceptual and epistemological depth of systematics.
The commentary advocates for increasing the pace of new species descriptions.

Discussion:

This paper refutes the notion that increased species description rates signify a healthy taxonomic enterprise.
It argues that this perspective is a one-dimensional portrayal, neglecting the core of taxonomic practice.
The authors contend that professional taxonomy is declining in the face of the extinction crisis.

Key Insights:

Taxonomy's value lies in empirically based classifications reflecting evolutionary history, not just species counts.
Homology assessments are central to systematics and comparative biology.
Accelerating species descriptions at the expense of historical and comparative depth is detrimental.

Outlook:

The decline in professional taxonomy poses a threat to phylogenetic systematics and comparative biology.
This decline impacts the foundational understanding of life's diversity and evolutionary relationships.
Urgent attention is needed to support the empirical and historical depth of taxonomic research.