Commercial taxonomy

[Piotr Naskrecki]

The business of naming species is already taking a more commercial, and,
in my opinion, more sinister, shape. Consider "Cricket Science", a
company that as one of its featured products offers naming a new species
for you. Here is a quote from their website
(http://www.cricketscience.com):

"YOUR NAME for a NEW SPECIES Program A one-of-a-kind opportunity for you
to honor or recognize someone special by having a scientist name a new
species using the name you provide! Perfect for an anniversary, birthday,
graduation, wedding, or Special Memorial! Item #29 $1,500"

Now, how is that for making taxonomy profitable! Imagine all those
"bobbyi", "johnnyi", "happybday", or "goodluckonyourexam" species.

Cheers,
Piotr Naskrecki

Piotr Naskrecki
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut U-42
Storrs, CT 06269, USA

fax: (860) 486-3790
e-mail: pin93001 at uconnvm.uconn.edu
        piotr at neca.com

Katydids of La Selva, Costa Rica:
http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/interkey/titlepg

Orthoptera DB - The Taxonomy and Collection Manager:
http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/interkey/database.html