Integrative taxonomy: a multisource approach to exploring biodiversity

Schlick-Steiner, Birgit C., Steiner, Florian M., Seifert, Bernhard, Stauffer, Christian, Christian, Erhard, and Crozier, Ross H. (2010) Integrative taxonomy: a multisource approach to exploring biodiversity. Annual Review of Entomology, 55. pp. 421-438.

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Abstract

Good alpha taxonomy is central to biology. On the basis of a survey of arthropod studies that used multiple disciplines for species delimitation, we evaluated the performance of single disciplines. All included disciplines had a considerable failure rate. Rigor in species delimitation can thus be increased when several disciplines chosen for complementarity are used. We present a flexible procedure and stopping rule for integrative taxonomy that uses the information from different disciplines separately. Disagreement among disciplines over the number and demarcation of species is resolved by elucidating and invoking evolutionary explanations for disagreement. With the identification of further promising study organisms and of new questions for in-depth analysis, evolutionary biology should profit from integrative taxonomy. An important rationale is clarity in researcher bias in the decision-making process. The success of integrative taxonomy will further increase through methodological progress, taxonomic training of evolutionary biologists, and balanced resource allocation.

Item ID: 5262
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1545-4487
Keywords: complementarity of disciplines, species delimitation hypotheses, resolution of disagreement, procedural protocol, catalysis of evolutionary biology, tropical biology
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2009 23:28
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060301 Animal Systematics and Taxonomy @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960599 Ecosystem Assessment and Management not elsewhere classified @ 50%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 50%
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