Subspecies definitions and legislation: from eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus) to euro (Osphranter robustus erubescens)

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Species Concept ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Ecological Approach ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectory ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Population Structuring ◽  
Traditional Approaches

As a consequence of genetic studies of population structuring, the usefulness of subspecies has been questioned, with opinions divided. The situation is further confused by the use of varying species and subspecies concepts. Most alternatives require each taxon to be following an independent evolutionary trajectory. These include traditional approaches and the more recent phylogenetic species concept. The latter has led to large increases in the apparent number of taxa in some groups, though strong objections have been raised to this approach. An alternative, the ecological species concept, has been opposed by phylogeneticists. These two approaches are compared using morphological and genetic data from common wallaroo (Osphranter robustus) populations. The different taxonomies that might result (many species, one species with two subspecies, one species with no subspecies) can have significant consequences for legislative and management decisions. The ecological approach is considered preferable for subspecies and the present taxonomy is maintained. A potential location of the boundary between the wallaroo subspecies is proposed. How the use of the different subspecies definitions would affect legislative decisions is explored.

FORUM: HOW MANY HIDDEN SPECIES ARE THERE? AN APPLICATION OF THE PHYLOGENETIC SPECIES CONCEPT TO GENETIC DATA FOR SOME COMPARATIVELY WELL KNOWN BEE “SPECIES”

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Packer ◽  
John S. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Reference Species ◽  
Apparent Absence ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Two Samples

AbstractEstimates of global species richness for insects are based upon extrapolations from “known” to unknown faunas and hence rely upon accurate counts of species for the referrent taxon or region. The number of reference species depends upon the species concepts employed by workers in that group combined with the degree to which nonstandard (i.e. nonmorphological) approaches have been used. Genetic data are more directly applicable to the detection of the apparent absence of gene flow, which lies at the heart of any species concept, than is morphological information. But what criteria can be used as a practical guide to suggest the absence of gene flow and define species-level units? Minimally, the phylogenetic species concept requires that there be one fixed difference between two samples for them both to be considered discrete species. The assumptions accompanying this definition include the survey of sufficient geographic locations, loci, and individuals. Based upon six studies of mostly widespread, readily identifiable and well-investigated bee “species”, we estimate that the number of species currently recognised may underestimate the true figure by half (although for at least two of the studies localities have been undersampled and more collections are needed). Even when examples for which there are fewer than five fixed differences between samples are removed from the data set, the number of recognised species increases by perhaps as much as 50% (the same caveat regarding undersampling of populations still applies). We suggest that the presence of morphologically unrecognised species may be more common among widespread, easily identified “species” than is generally accepted. Whether or not similar levels of species underestimation apply to other faunas, such as tropical rainforest canopy beetles, remains to be investigated.

scholarly journals Changes in Fish Taxonomy Affect Freshwater Biogeographical Regionalisations: Insights from Greece

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vavalidis ◽  
Zogaris ◽  
Economou ◽  
Kallimanis ◽  
Bobori
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Taxonomy ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Cluster Analyses ◽  
Fish Taxonomy ◽  
Region Scale ◽  
Key Indicators

Freshwater fishes are key indicators for delineating biogeographical maps worldwide. However, controversy in regional-scale ichthyogeographic boundaries still persists, especially in areas of high species endemicity, such as in Greece. One problem concerns the taxonomy of the fishes because there have been extensive changes, mainly due to an increased splitting of species in recent years in Europe. Here, we explore why ichthyogeographic boundary disagreements and uncertainties in region-scale biogeographical units persist. We compare cluster analyses of river basin fish fauna in Greece using two taxonomic datasets: the older fish taxonomy (from 1991) and the current taxonomy that now follows the phylogenetic species concept (PSC), which has become widely established in Europe after 2007. Cluster analyses using the older fish taxonomy depicts only two major biogeographical regional divisions, while the current taxonomy defines four major regional divisions in mainland Greece. Interestingly, some older maps from the pre-PSC taxonomy era also similarly show four ichthyogeographic divisions in Greece and we can assume that the older biogeographical work did not solely use numerical taxonomy but followed an expert-guided synthesis; the older regional definitions have persisted quite well despite radical changes in Europe’s fish taxonomy. Through the prism of biodiversity conservation planning, we hope this review may help identify ways to help standardize policy-relevant biogeographical mapping.

A revision of Calamus (Arecaceae, Calamoideae, Calameae, Calaminae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 445 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-656
Author(s):  
ANDREW HENDERSON
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Qualitative Variables ◽  
Geographic Distributions

A revision of Calamus was carried out based on morphological data. Eight thousand, six hundred and thirty-three herbarium specimens were examined and scored for 14 quantitative and 157 qualitative variables. Application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept to 516 preliminary species of Calamus resulted in recognition of 411 phylogenetic species. Of these, 38 are recognized as new (C. barisanensis, C. brevissimus, C. brunneus, C. calciphilus, C. densifloropsis, C. disjunctus, C. divergens, C. exiguus, C. furvus, C. gaharuensis, C. goramensis, C. heteracanthopsis, C. hosensis, C. impressus, C. insolitus, C. insularis, C. johanis, C. kinabaluensis, C. kubahensis, C. latus, C. lengguanii, C. lobatus, C. notabilis, C. obiensis, C. oresbiopsis, C. oxleyoides, C. pahangensis, C. powlingii, C. saltuensis, C. seropakensis, C. spinosus, C. sulawesiensis, C. tambingensis, C. tapanensis, C. trigynus, C. vinaceus, C. viridis, C. wedaensis). Analysis of quantitative variables and geographic distributions resulted in the division of 11 species into 36 subspecies. Eight species were considered to be ochlospecies (C. erioacanthus, C. inermis, C. javensis, C. melanochaetes, C. micranthus, C. moseleyanus, C. plicatus, C. siphonospathus). Nomenclature, descriptions, and distribution maps are provided for all species. Images of the type specimens of all new species are provided as well as images of most qualitative variables. One hundred and forty–three species are illustrated with images from living plants.

scholarly journals Systematics and bird conservation policies: the importance of species limits

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
OCTAVIO R. ROJAS-SOTO ◽  
ADOLFO G. NAVARRO-SIGÜENZA ◽  
ALEJANDRO ESPINOSA DE LOS MONTEROS
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Biological Species Concept ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Species Limits ◽  
Species List ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Species Lists

SummaryThe taxonomic criteria used as bases for endangered species lists can affect conservation policy decisions. We emphasize that the use of different taxonomic units affects the baselines of such lists. Recent taxonomic reviews for the Mexican avifauna provided the tools for assessing this effect on a highly diverse avifauna which is currently in need of serious conservation actions. Most ornithologists have used a taxonomy based on the biological species concept (BSC) to make decisions on species limits and therefore to set them into endangered species lists. However, the application of the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) as an alternative for delimiting species, results in a different panorama of what should be protected. Our analysis shows that the current official Mexican endangered species list, BSC based, encompasses 371 birds, ranked as 277 species and 94 subspecies. The same list of protected forms changes under the phylogenetic species concept because 47 of them are not recognized as valid species, while another 28 forms merit higher levels of protection. Additionally, under this concept another 11 forms should be candidates for inclusion based on their restricted distribution. We call attention to the fact that the use of one or another species concept affects endangered species lists.

The increasing multiplicity of the species concepts

2005 ◽  
Vol 176 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-225
Author(s):  
Jean Génermont
Keyword(s):  
Species Concept ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Biological Species ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Biological Species Concept ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Ecological Criteria ◽  
Stem Species ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract In 1980, Henri Tintant advocated the usefulness of the biological species concept in paleontology. At this time, this concept was still accepted by many neontologists, but it was already rather severely criticized by some others. In fact, a lot of new concepts appeared in the course of the following two decades. While a few ones are mere adjustments of the biological concept, for instance taking in account ecological criteria, in such a way that it could be applied to clonal organisms, some others, which were developed in connexion with the cladistic theory of taxonomy, are truly new from a conceptual point of view. The diagnosable version of the phylogenetic species concept is somewhat reminiscent of Simpson’s evolutionary species concept, since it accepts phyletic speciation as well as survival of the stem species after a cladogenetic event. One of its more criticizable features, from a cladistic point of view, is that the species are not necessarilly monophyletic. On another hand, according to the monophyly version of the phylogenetic species concept, species are recognized rather subjectively as monophyletic taxa revealed by some previous cladistic analysis dealing with operational taxonomic units. A consensus on the definition of species cannot be expected, since all concepts related to the biological one are founded on population grouping on the basis of potentially identical evolutionary fates, while those which are related to cladistic taxonomy are exclusively concerned with historical features.

Species limits in Pteruthius (Aves: Corvida) shrike-babblers: a comparison between the Biological and Phylogenetic Species Concepts

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2301 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK E. RHEINDT ◽  
JAMES A. EATON
Keyword(s):  
Species Concept ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Biological Species ◽  
Species Concepts ◽  
Biological Species Concept ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept ◽  
Sampling Regime ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

The question of how to define a species continues to divide biologists. Meanwhile, the application of different species concepts has led to disparate taxonomic treatments that confound conservationists and other biologists. The most widely followed guidelines to species designation in avian and other vertebrate taxonomy are Ernst Mayr’s Biological Species Concept (BSC) and Joel Cracraft’s version of the Phylogenetic Species Concept (PSC). Although the BSC is considered to be more conservative in its assignment of species status, there is a lack of research demonstrating differences in taxonomic treatment between the BSC and the PSC with reference to a multi-taxon multi-trait study system. We examined the case of five traditionally recognized species of shrike-babbler (Pteruthius) that have recently been divided into 19 species under the PSC. Re-analyzing previous morphological and molecular data and adding new vocal data, we propose a BSC classification of 9 species. However, taking into consideration geographic gaps in the sampling regime, we contend that additional data will likely reduce discrepancies between the total numbers of species designated under the PSC and BSC. The current PSC species total is a likely overestimate owing to species diagnosis based on characters that erroneously appear to be unique to a taxon at low sample size. The current BSC species total as here proposed is a likely underestimate on account of the conservative designation of taxa as subspecies in equivocal cases, e.g. where BSC species status is potentially warranted but may be masked by insufficient data.

scholarly journals The bacterial species dilemma and the genomic–phylogenetic species concept

2006 ◽  
Vol 361 (1475) ◽  
pp. 1899-1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T Staley
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Dna Hybridization ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Phylogenetic Species ◽  
Bacterial Taxonomy ◽  
Species Definition ◽  
Phylogenetic Species Concept

The number of species of Bacteria and Archaea ( ca 5000) is surprisingly small considering their early evolution, genetic diversity and residence in all ecosystems. The bacterial species definition accounts in part for the small number of named species. The primary procedures required to identify new species of Bacteria and Archaea are DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characterization. Recently, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis have been applied to bacterial taxonomy. Although 16S phylogeny is arguably excellent for classification of Bacteria and Archaea from the Domain level down to the family or genus, it lacks resolution below that level. Newer approaches, including multilocus sequence analysis, and genome sequence and microarray analyses, promise to provide necessary information to better understand bacterial speciation. Indeed, recent data using these approaches, while meagre, support the view that speciation processes may occur at the subspecies level within ecological niches (ecovars) and owing to biogeography (geovars). A major dilemma for bacterial taxonomists is how to incorporate this new information into the present hierarchical system for classification of Bacteria and Archaea without causing undesirable confusion and contention. This author proposes the genomic–phylogenetic species concept (GPSC) for the taxonomy of prokaryotes. The aim is twofold. First, the GPSC would provide a conceptual and testable framework for bacterial taxonomy. Second, the GPSC would replace the burdensome requirement for DNA hybridization presently needed to describe new species. Furthermore, the GPSC is consistent with the present treatment at higher taxonomic levels.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document