Names for sale

[Peter Rauch]

> Date:         Fri, 22 Mar 1996 15:34:21 +0100
> From: Jef Veldkamp <VELDKAMP at RULRHB.LEIDENUNIV.NL>
>
> ... has successfully auctioned off the epithet of the
> "Choco' vireo", apparently a new species of bird from Colombia to an
> unnamed 'American' for at least US$ 100,000.
>
> a. Is this information correct?

Geez, I hope so! How enterprising!

> b. How ethical is it to sell names of new taxa?

What ethics?? Can't imagine this being unethical.

> c. Wouldn't you like a piece of the cake?

Let's start an International House of Namecakes...., which would serve
as a clearinghouse to make sure the funds were equitably distributed,
to operate an online website, where we could charge per access, offering
a biographical sketch of the honored individual and/or organization and
introduction to the beneficiary landscape....

> d. How much at least?

Depends of the taxon. Flies $100; Leps $5000; Roaches $10; Rare and
Endangered $5000, Carabids/Therevids/Tenebrionids/Acrocerids/Cynipids
and a few other select taxa* $0.10, ...

Peter

* Special Discount Offers from a few old colleagues....