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Re: Herald vs Trinidade Petrel?
- To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
- Subject: Re: Herald vs Trinidade Petrel?
- From: Alex Netherton <danetherton@earthlink.net>
- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:08:46 -0400
- Organization: Appalachian Naturalist
- References: <002C3056.----@mail.enr.state.nc.us>
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
> Hi folks;
This is an interesting argument, and one I have engaged in with many professors in
the past, namely, "what is a species". Also, my argument has been, who has the right
to apply species status?
*clip*
> As you are not
> taxonomists, I don't feel that you have "authority" to supercede
> taxonomists/biologists who officially describe "new" species (in this case, a
> split). The name "Herald Petrel" should be listed first. Then, you need to
> explain in the text why you believe that "Trinidade Petrel" should be used.
>
> It is not proper (bad taste, etc.) for a non-taxonomist to arbitrary lump or
> split species in a book that he/she has written. I see this now and then. Just
> because I think that King Rail and Clapper Rail may be the same species, should
> I lump them into a single species if I were to write a book on NC birds? I think
> Myrtle and Audubon's warblers should be split back out, but should I give
> separate accounts for two species in a book? NO. But, it would be proper to give
> my opinions in the text under one or both species.
>
> By the same token, it might be improper also for a taxonomist to do the same as
> well, UNLESS it is a species that he/she has worked on.
> *end of clip*
> This is an interesting argument, to leave it to scientists with "credentials", but
> what gives them credentials over the hoi polloi in the field observing things
> every day? The observers are the ones who see the differences. I still call the
> Myrtle form of Yellow rumped "Myrtle Warbler", and wish books would show the two
> as separate entities, even if they must be "lumped".
Even then, there is the unremitting war between lumpers and splitters, all over a
species concept that does not really apply.
Carl von Linne came up with the idea of naming and describing species in a day when
people thought the Almighty had made all species in one stroke, and they would never
change. Along came Charles Darwin with the heretical "nonsense" that God didn't do
things so simply, that species changed over time, throwing the species concept into
a cocked hat. However, this species concept is still alive today in both lumpers and
splitters. Species are just too fluid, like the Gull superspecies in the North.
IMHO, we all have a stake in the species idea, and an author has a right to publish
what they want to, including opinion. I think there is even a Constitutional
amendment that guarantees this, but I may be wrong...
Myself, if I were writing about the Dendroica coronata warbler seen hereabouts in
late Winter, I would call it a Myrtle Warbler, and let the reader figure it out.
Now realize, this is just an HUMBLE opinion, and some of this was written with
tongue firmly in cheek. Just wanted to get a healthy conversation going, not a flame
war.
--
Alex Netherton
The Appalachian Naturalist
Asheville, NC
http://www.appalachian-naturalist.com
mailto:alex@appalachian-naturalist.com
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