[Taxacom] New species descriptions based on only 1 specimen

[Peter B. Phillipson]

Among currently accepted species of vascular plants in Madagascar, a
staggering 17.5% are currently known only from the type locality, and
about half of these are only known from the type specimen. A project a
few years ago to target a number of these and recollect them at the type
locality or from similar nearby habitats, established that many of these
really are very local endemics and that others are likely exinct since
the localities where they once occured are now devoid of natural
vegetation. 

It is fortunate that earlier generations of botanists saw fit to
describe these species on the basis of the limited herbarium material
available, thereby drawing our attention to them, and it is surely for
us and for subsequent generations to improve on the descriptions in
terms of accounting for species variability and for other properties,
and to provide threat analyses for all of them that still survive. I see
no reason why the present generation of biologists shouldn't describe
distinct entities as new taxa and provide work for future generations
too!

______________________________________________

Peter B. Phillipson
Africa and Madagascar Department
Missouri Botanical Garden
______________________________________________



-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
[mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Erast Parmasto
Sent: mercredi 1 octobre 2008 13:59
To: Bob Mesibov
Cc: TAXACOM
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] New species descriptions based on only 1 specimen


K, 1. oktoober, 13:45, Bob Mesibov kirjutas:
>
> Some years ago I asked my taxonomical guru about doing this. He said 
> 'If you know enough about it to describe it well and to distinguish it

> from other known species, why not give it a name?'
> --
    "Enough" means normally: you know the variability of the specimens
of a species. If you have found a species characterized by absence of
any variation, do describe and name it.
     Erast Parmasto



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