[Taxacom] [iczn-list] GENERAL CALL TO BATTLE

[Stephen Thorpe]

 Rich,James may have proposed a putative answer to my comment, but that doesn't mean my view was an "error", not yet anyway. I still maintain (to answer your question) that DNA sequencing isn't taxonomy, but may however have a secondary support role for taxonomy. Taxonomy is not simply about attaching names to species via type specimens. That is nomenclature. Taxonomy is about circumscribing species. There is an obvious (imperfect, but nevertheless obvious) correlation between morphology and species (=more or less: groups of individuals who freely interbreed and have the same basic interactions with other species and the abiotic environment). If all individuals of all species looked the same, then taxonomy would be pointless. The whole point of taxonomy is to be able to infer interactions from morphology. Sometimes there are problem cases that may benefit from DNA sequencing in a supporting role. However, if you define species by DNA sequence, you provide no link between morphology and interactions. You simply leave the hard work for someone else down the track to try to find that link, putting many potential hurdles in their way, such as the difficulty in obtaining usable DNA for many rare or inaccessible species.I am not convinced that simply claiming that this or that base in a sequence can vary within the same species ("consensus sequences"), based on a limited sample, amounts to a meaningful circumscription of the species. How do they (a hypothetical "they") know the different sequences are the same species?? Because they are judging by morphology! They are just not sharing with the reader the details of this all important morphology! They are withholding these details because they cannot be bothered taking the time to present them! Instead they just churn out the sequences ... thanks, but no thanks!Cheers, Stephen
    On Tuesday, 16 February 2021, 08:25:20 am NZDT, John Grehan via Taxacom <taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu> wrote:  
 
 Some misplaced 'humor' - Is it a cat or a dog I have as a pet? Looks like a
cat, but I can't trust that. It could be a cryptic elephant. Wait.... I'll
just get my DNA tricorder and we will know for sure (and which pet food to
buy).

cheers, John Grehan


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