[Taxacom] taxonomy and conservation of common skate

[Kenneth Kinman]

       First of all, I do agree that bad taxonomy can
sometimes lead to bad management decisions. However, in this case, it
would have almost certainly made little, if any, difference. So I would
agree with the sentiments that almost all the news coverage is
unfortunate in that it seems to be scape-goating the taxonomy instead of
the real problem (overfishing). 
       They are also assuming that this new evaluation of
the taxonomy is actually correct. I don't have access to the article, so
I don't know how strong the new evidence actually is. However,
morphological and genetic differences do not necessarily mean that they
are two different species. They could actually be subspecies, or two
different morphs with other factors contributing to the restriction
(perhaps neither complete nor permanent) of gene flow. It doesn't
necessarily mean that they should be regarded as separate species.
Perhaps the determination made back in the 1920s will be upheld with
closer scutiny by other biologists (one paper's claim is just that,
until others evaluate those claims). 
        Either way, this population (be it one or two
species) is critically endangered and should receive better protection.
Trying to lay the blame upon taxonomy is inappropriate scape-goating and
seems to me an unfortunate red herring.  Over-exploitation of marine
food resources has long been a problem, and noone can justify exploiting
any of these "common" skates for food, whether it is one or two species.
The taxonomy is a secondary issue that is simply a red herring that
diverts attention from the real problem. 
---------------------------------------------- 
Stephen wrote: 
Skating on thin taxonomic ice! Puns aside, Sam says 'the taxonomy of the
species hasn't caused it to be endangered, overfishing has'. I guess,
though, that it could be argued that conservation management decisions
rely on good taxonomy, so bad taxonomy can lead to bad management
decisions which can in turn lead to a species becoming endangered ...
Stephen