[Taxacom] Taxonomy in Europe in the 21st century

[Torbjørn Ekrem]

Dear Bob,

I think you might be confusing DNA barcoding with DNA taxonomy (or 
perhaps you are equalling identification with taxonomy)? In any case, I 
would like to point out that taxonomy is much, much more than 
identifying species, and as a traditional taxonomist (who works with 
species description, delimitation, identification, phylogeny, 
classification, biogeography) I have discovered what a great tool DNA 
barcoding is in my work on non-biting midges. In my opinion, DNA 
barcoding will increase the need for taxonomists and not the opposite 
since the DNA library on which DNA barcoding depends needs to be made 
and maintained by taxonomic experts. - and as we know taxonomy is a very 
dynamic science. As I see it, the possibility for automated species 
identification will enable numerous large scale, multi taxon inventories 
and biomonitoring. Something that we are quite unable to achieve with 
our declining population of taxonomists today. And if DNA barcoding is 
only able to identify the 90-95% most common species, that's just fine 
with me: we can concentrate our efforts on the much more scientifically 
interesting 5-10%. Wouldn't that be nice?

Torbjørn

Dr. Torbjørn Ekrem
Vitenskapsmuseet, NTNU		
Seksjon for naturhistorie	
7491 Trondheim			

Museum of Natural History and Archaeology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

Tel: +47 73 59 78 12
Email: Torbjorn.Ekrem at vm.ntnu.no
Web: www.ntnu.no/~torbjoe



Bob Mesibov skrev:
> I've read two 'white papers' on taxonomy's future in recent weeks, this
> EDIT one and a draft backgrounder produced for the new lobbying body
> TaxA (Taxonomy Australia).
>
> It's very pleasing to see that the EDIT paper includes mention of a
> topic I ranted about on TAXACOM recently:
>
> 'What expertise will we need?...
> ...5. The relative importance of amateurs or citizen scientists will
> increase and the challenge for the professional community is to provide
> opportunities for their effective contribution.'
> 'Who will be using taxonomy/systematics and how?...
> 7. Europe has a rich amateur sector that needs encouragement and further
> integration to exisiting and developing infrastructures. This may be a
> major challenge.'
>
> However, it's not so pleasing to see a heavy emphasis in both documents
> on the expanded use of barcoding to increase the 'service value' of
> taxonomy. The TaxA document sells it this way:
>
> 'i) Massive biodiversity scans will be delivered through new generation
> sequencing platforms that have a formidable capacity. Imagine blending a
> mix of insects from a recently arrived containership and knowing the
> species composition – and the associated biosecurity threat - of the
> slurry within seconds.
>
> ii) Point-of-contact identifications for single specimens will be
> possible through devices that execute all of the steps in barcode
> analysis (DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing). Imagine a
> sophisticated hand-held device that allows you to input DNA on the spot,
> in an instant, anywhere in the country, and generate a species
> identification if the query sequence matches one in the library
> reference library, but also flags the discovery of a new species.'
>
> I can't think of a more efficient way to kiss taxonomy goodbye than to
> replace it with barcoding. The new species whose discovery was flagged
> by the sequencer would become 'n.sp. 0011873336' in some database
> indefinitely, because the relevant taxon specialist wouldn't exist.
>
> Why fund the study of biodiversity, when the principal human-relevant,
> service-oriented tasks carried out by taxonomists can be replaced by
> sequencers and sequence databases?
>
> Even field trips will change their nature, according to EDIT:
>
> 'What facilities will we use?...
> 5. Collecting will remain an essential component of taxonomy, though
> emerging technologies (e.g. digital imaging, bioacoustics) might
> automate collection of ‘specimens’ and make field trips more productive.
> There is a pressing need for ‘pocket identifiers’ (digital, molecular,
> bioacoustic) for use in the field.'
>
> Notice the marks around 'specimens'? In the future, all you'll need to
> bring back from the field are digital images, digital sound records and
> sequences. Interesting way to learn about all that undiscovered life out
> there.
>
> I'm thinking of putting a provision in my will to have myself stuffed
> and mounted when I die. The label will read 'Example of taxonomist -
> extinct, fl. ca. 1700-2020. Discovered and documented previously unknown
> forms of life, service provider for naturalists and biologists (also
> extinct, see next cabinet).'
>