The New Taxonomy

by Quentin D. Wheeler (Editor)

Overview

A Fresh Look at Taxonomy The most fundamental of all biological sciences, taxonomy underpins any long term strategies for reconstructing the great tree of life or salvaging as much biodiversity as possible. Initiatives reinventing taxonomy for the Internet age are leading to a resurgence in this once declining discipline. In this volume we witness the emergence of cybertaxonomy, a convergence of descriptive taxonomy with information science and computer engineering. Featuring a new paradigm of international teamwork, The New Taxonomy presents a roadmap for confronting the biodiversity crisis. Some have seen the confusion of pattern and process that followed Huxley's 1940 The New Systematics as the beginning of decline for support of taxonomy. In this answer to Huxley, contemporary taxonomists reclaim the unique mission, goals and importance of taxonomy as an independent science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780849390883
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/09/2008
Series:	Systematics Association Special Volumes
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Quentin D. Wheeler

Table of Contents

Introduction: Towards the New Taxonomy. Networks and Their Role in e-Taxonomy. Taxonomy as a Team Sport. Planetary Biodiversity Inventories as Models for the New Taxonomy. On the Use of Taxonomic Concepts in Support of Biodiversity Research and Taxonomy. International Infrastructure for Enabling the New Taxonomy: The Role of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). DNA Sequences in Taxonomy: Opportunities and Challenges. Animal Names for All: ICZN, ZooBank and the New Taxonomy. Understanding Morphology in Systematic Contexts: Three-
Dimensional Specimen Ordination and Recognition. Taxonomic Shock and Awe.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"… this volume charts the efforts of several international groups to address the problems faced by contemporary taxonomists. In 10 essays covering techniques such as DNA barcoding, computer-aided identification, digital morphology, and E-typification, the book provides what the back cover describes as ‘an unapologetic look at morphology and descriptive taxonomy . . . [that] frames one of the most constructive responses to the biodiversity crisis.’ This is a bold claim. But perhaps we should expect nothing less from the editor, who, amongst other things, is director of Arizona State University’s International Institute for Species Exploration… ."

—Vincent S. Smith, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London, in Systematic Biology, Vol. 57

Editorial Reviews

"… this volume charts the efforts of several international groups to address the problems faced by contemporary taxonomists. In 10 essays covering techniques such as DNA barcoding, computer-aided identification, digital morphology, and E-typification, the book provides what the back cover describes as ‘an unapologetic look at morphology and descriptive taxonomy . . . [that] frames one of the most constructive responses to the biodiversity crisis.’ This is a bold claim. But perhaps we should expect nothing less from the editor, who, amongst other things, is director of Arizona State University’s International Institute for Species Exploration… ."

—Vincent S. Smith, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London, in Systematic Biology, Vol. 57

"Clearly, this book is a must-have for every taxonomist, even for every biologist . . . It is without any doubt a milestone in the history and development of taxonomy."

– Hannelore Hoch, Museum für Naturkunde, 2008

 

"… this volume charts the efforts of several international groups to address the problems faced by contemporary taxonomists. In 10 essays covering techniques such as DNA barcoding, computer-aided identification, digital morphology, and E-typification, the book provides what the back cover describes as ‘an unapologetic look at morphology and descriptive taxonomy . . . [that] frames one of the most constructive responses to the biodiversity crisis.’ This is a bold claim. But perhaps we should expect nothing less from the editor, who, amongst other things, is director of Arizona State University’s International Institute for Species Exploration… ."

—Vincent S. Smith, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London, in Systematic Biology, Vol. 57

From the Publisher