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Relegating Species Descriptions to Electronic Supplementary Information Puts Critical Data for Taxonomy at Risk
Diana O Fisher1, Stephen M Jackson2, Kenny J Travouillon3
1University of Queensland Brisbane Australia.
Ecology and Evolution
|September 30, 2025
Summary
Species description details, including molecular and morphometric analyses, are increasingly lost in electronic supplementary information. Publishing these crucial data in appendices ensures their long-term accessibility for taxonomic research.
Area of Science:
- Taxonomy
- Biodiversity Research
- Scientific Publishing
Background:
- A growing trend in scientific publishing is to place detailed species description data, such as molecular and morphometric analyses, into electronic Supplementary Information (eSI).
- This practice risks the permanent loss or inaccessibility of critical data, hindering taxonomic research and biodiversity assessments.
- A significant portion of species descriptions in non-specialist journals since 2012 have incorporated substantial material into eSI.
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