A question about species authors

[rjensen at SAINTMARYS.EDU]

----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Gatrelle <gatrelle at TILS-TTR.ORG>
Date: Friday, June 4, 2004 3:16 pm
Subject: Re: A question about species authors

> Dick Jensen wrote:
>
> I believe Lammers and Petit have provided appropriate replies.  I
> agree with
> Lammers reservation - if the individual simply financed the
> research, but
> played no other role (in the field, identification, preparation of
> ms.,etc.), than I would consider including that person as an author
> inappropriate.   snip
>
> ***************
>
> I am sure everyone agrees with this as a rule of thumb, or ethical
> policy.The key words in this reply being "appropriate /
> inappropriate".    But this
> is irrelevant to the original question IF the term "permissible"
> was meant
> in relation to the specific rules of the ICBN.   IF a code does
> not forbid
> something, I don't think even editors and reviewers can do much
> about it.
> Plus, in relation to multi-authorship,  many times some of the junior
> authors names are not known to anyone.  So who would know what
> "part" they
> played in the process - who'd know the difference.
>
> I would think that a senior author (who obviously has a lot, and
> more than
> anyone else, invested in the work) could put anyone he wanted
> alongside his
> name as co-author if he/she so chose.   Others could think what
> they wanted,
> but isn't it author's choice?
>
> Ron Gatrelle
>

As Ron notes, the key word in my reply is appropriate.  I (speaking for myself) think it inappropriate under the conditions noted I noted.  I didn't address whether or not it would be permissible, which is a matter decided by consulting the appropriate code.

Dick