Increase in new species

[Petra Sierwald]

The case I cited involved allegedly (according to admittedly unconfirmed
rumors) the exchange of funds for describing species. This case involved
several groups of arachnids, not just the one example.
I agree with the statement that we had this problem before, but I disagree
that we dealt with it succesfully. Some of the groups that suffered from
this fate have been not been worked on for about 50 years because of this
problem. It only takes one "prolific" writer publishing in non-refereed
outlets to hamper research in that group for decades to come. If there is
money to be made, somebody will make it and it will increase the number of
"new" species.
***************************************************************
Petra Sierwald, Adjunct Curator - Zoology, Insects
Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Rd @ Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60605, USA.
Managing Editor - The Journal of Arachnology -
Published by the American Arachnological Society
E-maiL: psierwald at fmnh.org
Phone: (312)922-9410, ext. 841; Fax: (312)663-5397

http://www.fmnh.org
***************************************************************