Biodiversity Studies and Their Foundation in Taxonomic Scholarship

JOSEPH M. RACZKOWSKI; JOHN W. WENZEL

doi:10.1641/B571110

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JOSEPH M. RACZKOWSKI,^*,** JOHN W. WENZEL^***,****

^*Joseph M. Raczkowski (e-mail: raczkowski.2@osu.edu) study the evolution of complex and adaptive behaviors in insects at Ohio State University and the Museum of Biological Diversity in Columbus.
^**Raczkowski is a PhD candidate in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
^***John W. Wenzel (e-mail: wenzel.12@osu.edu) study the evolution of complex and adaptive behaviors in insects at Ohio State University and the Museum of Biological Diversity in Columbus.
^****Wenzel is a professor in the Department of Entomology.

Abstract

Studies of biodiversity rely on taxonomically recognized variation to establish regions of special evolutionary and conservation interest. The number of species known from a region relates well to the number of taxonomists working on that region. It is important that we evaluate the philosophy of taxonomists, who have a large impact on our tally of species. Yet, philosophy of what constitutes a species, race, or variety differs among taxonomists and between periods of an individual taxonomist's career. Hence, our modern crisis in taxonomic expertise translates directly into a crisis in revisionary systematics. We must invest more in training traditional scholars.

Citation Download Citation

JOSEPH M. RACZKOWSKI and JOHN W. WENZEL "Biodiversity Studies and Their Foundation in Taxonomic Scholarship," BioScience 57(11), 974-979, (1 December 2007). https://doi.org/10.1641/B571110

Published: 1 December 2007