[Taxacom] Why Taxonomy does NOT matter

[John Grehan]

The fractious argument may be problematic in that phylogenetics gets
funding despite it comprising competing and mutually exclusive
methodologies. Same goes for biogeography.

DNA taxonomy will probably be successful for the same reason as
molecular systematics - its fast and anyone can do it with a lab.
Morphology is tedious and ambiguous and can require a lot more time. It
does not hurt that DNA classification has been able to utilize a popular
metaphor (barcode). It's a bit like the 'blueprint' metaphor of earlier
genetics.

John Grehan

-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
[mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Andrew Mitchell
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 3:17 AM
To: 'taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu'
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Why Taxonomy does NOT matter

Hi All,

I think the real reason that astronomers can get huge grants and
taxonomists can't is that taxonomists/systematists are such a fractious
bunch they just can't help but shoot themselves in the foot by
protesting vociferously against any emerging large initiatives. A case
in point is barcoding. The concept has caught the public's imagination
and could bring megabucks to taxonomy, but instead of seeing the
possibilities, getting involved and working together to integrate and
improve this fledgling system many taxonomists would rather fire shots
from the sidelines.  Have you ever seen a documentary on TV where say
radioastronomers slam gamma-ray astronomers as having no understanding
of their subdiscipline? Of course not! They would rather work together
to build the multi-billion dollar SKA that they can all use.

Now that I'm sticking my neck out I may as well add that funding models
which favour "innovation" over all else are partly to blame. This is why
we have so many different initiatives digitising taxonomy (checklists,
species pages & images, the heritage literature) with limited
interactivity - each successive proposal must demonstrate that it is
doing something "innovative", i.e. different from existing projects.

OK, my flame guards are up so fire away!

Andrew

Andrew Mitchell
Integrative Systematist
Entomology

Australian Museum
6 College Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
t 61 2 9320 6346   f 61 2 9320 6042
www.australianmuseum.net.au


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