Undescribed species and the Internet

[B.J.Tindall]

At 15:27 20.5.2002 -0400, Charles R Parker wrote:
>I have two somewhat related questions regarding new species and the
>Internet.
>
>First, what are the positions of the different ICxNs regarding publishing
>new species on the Internet?  As I understand the ICZN, valid publication
>requires that a hardcopy publication, possibly a CD under the right
>conditions, deposited in five different libraries, is necessary.  If this
>is so, it seems to imply that publication on the Internet would not be
>valid.  What about ICBN or other (IC_microbial_N ?) governing bodies?
>

The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria is unique in that we use
a system of "registration" (valid publication) which requires publication
of a new name of combination in a named journal. Only on publication in
that journal does the name qualify as being "validly published". The
"problems" of internet or other electronic forms of publication relate to
a) permenant unaltered record, b) date of publication, and c) the page
number.  Of course there is nothing to stop anyone publishing on the
internet, but in the ICNB "valid publication" is still via ink and paper.
Brian

>Second, in general, is it advisible or inadvisible to make illustrations,
>photographs, or other images of undescribed species available on the
>Internet (or other public outlets) prior to publication?  I ask because
>there is some pressure from certain funding sources to make such images
>available as soon as possible.  I don't think it is a good idea generally,
>but if there are no real downsides to doing so, it would help keep certain
>funding lines lubricated, help generate excitement among the public,
>promote interest among students, etc.
>
>I would appreciate any insight TAXACOMers might have.
>
>Chuck
>
>==========================================
>Charles R. Parker
>Research Aquatic Biologist
>USGS Biological Resources Division
>1314 Cherokee Orchard Road
>Gatlinburg, TN 37738
>USA
>(865) 436-1704
>(865) 430-4753 [fax]
>


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