[Taxacom] Why Taxonomy does NOT matter

[Richard Zander]

The comment that one can look at a barcode but not at a species (description) is relevant. Yes, one can look at evidence, and one cannot look at a theory. But science uses evidence to build scientific theories. A barcode is data. The theory is that barcodes match species pretty good in certain groups, etc. The theory is okay as far as it goes, and is being tested. Results apparently are good for some groups and not for others. 

There is no problem here except for a cleaving to a false dichotomy between those who reject reliance on DNA analysis for taxonomy and those who reject reliance on traditional intuitive methods. Both represent ideological camps we don't need right now.

 
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Richard H. Zander 
Missouri Botanical Garden, PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 USA 
Web sites: http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/ and http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/bfnamenu.htm
Modern Evolutionary Systematics Web site: http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/21EvSy.htm



-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Donat Agosti
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 1:01 AM
To: 'Kenneth Kinman'; taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Why Taxonomy does NOT matter

What I like about barcode: I can look at it.
What I do not like about taxonomy: I cannot look at species descriptions.