[Taxacom] Domestic Chicken

[Ken Kinman]

Jeff,
     The only database I know of that deals specifically with reptile 
species of the world is the EMBL Reptile Database.  As for domestic 
chickens, I wouldn't advocate calling them a separate species (Gallus 
domesticus) any more than I would advocate calling domestic dogs a separate 
species (Canis familiaris).  Whether you want to call it a separate 
subspecies (Gallus gallus domesticus), or part of Gallus gallus gallus, 
depends on the purpose of your classification.  U.S. governmental agencies 
these days tend to frown upon paraphyly of species and higher taxa, but I'm 
not sure how fussy they would be at the subspecific level.
   ----Cheers,
           Ken Kinman
**********************************
>From: Jeffery.T.Alfred at aphis.usda.gov
>To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
>Subject: [Taxacom] Domestic Chicken
>Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:57:01 -0600
>
>To all,
>I am currently trying to compose a taxonomic list of various species and
>have run into some trouble. I am finding multiple names used for domestic
>chickens. I have seen Gallus gallus, Gallus gallus domesticus, and Gallus
>domesticus. Yet I cannot find an authoritative source to say which is the
>currently accepted name. If someone could send me the citation for a
>source that would have this information I would greatly appreciate it.
>Also can anyone tell me of a good source for reptile names? I found a good
>source for reptiles of North America but any species not found here I have
>to hunt down individual source information on.
>Thank you for your time,
>
>Jeff Alfred
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