I am writing a species description paper for a species of cockroach found in Africa. My questions are the following.
Can and should behavioral data be used in a species description paper?
Is too much data a bad thing? Should the paper be condensed to only the details known to differentiate the species from others?
I am embarking on this project with little guidance. I have quite a bit of experience, but have never written a species description paper before. If you know a lot about writing species description papers and would be willing to help me out, I would really really appreciate it! Feel free to send me a private message. Thanks!
Dear Jordan; Species descriptions must follow the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and the Code indicates no obligation to provide natural history data with a species description. But it is definitely very good if you can have a natural history section within your paper, which is done in most species descriptions. In many cases, natural history habits differ among congeneric species, and can even add a useful element to species identification. Moreover, natural history data often help to put your species within an ecological context which adds to the usefulness of a species description, and often to better understand its conservation status. It would be better, if you do have biological data on your new species, to put it together with its description, rather than in a separate paper, to facilitate the life of other researchers working on these cockroaches. The best way to see how to integrate these biological data within your description is to see how it has been made in recent descriptions in the same group.
Dear Jordan; Species descriptions must follow the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and the Code indicates no obligation to provide natural history data with a species description. But it is definitely very good if you can have a natural history section within your paper, which is done in most species descriptions. In many cases, natural history habits differ among congeneric species, and can even add a useful element to species identification. Moreover, natural history data often help to put your species within an ecological context which adds to the usefulness of a species description, and often to better understand its conservation status. It would be better, if you do have biological data on your new species, to put it together with its description, rather than in a separate paper, to facilitate the life of other researchers working on these cockroaches. The best way to see how to integrate these biological data within your description is to see how it has been made in recent descriptions in the same group.
Dear Jordan,
Maybe this link can be very useful for you.
Good luck in your species description!
http://antbase.org/ants/publications/21342/21342_text.pdf
Best regards,
Hudson
Thank you Olivier. And thank you Hudson! When you posted this, I happened to be in the middle of searching for a free copy of this book. Thank you for the resource!
Jordan, you should certainly include behavioural data if it helps to identify the species and distinguish it from conspecifics. Nowadays, our parameters for taxonomic assignment have extended beyond basic phenotype and physiology so it is important to include as much information as possible to support your own taxonomic assignment (whether it be a subspecies, species or new genus).
It is better to include behavioral data on the new species you are going to describe. Also follow the ICZN guidelines for species description.
Repceted, if you would to describe the species for determination key (sistematics) it is better without that description, but if you want to presenting your species for the article it is better to include behavioral thesis.
You know that some species have very special behaviour that can be good indicator for determination on the field. For example, Buteo buteo (and some other birds predator birds) species has a roundtrip fligh, Alburnus alburnus species swimms shallow especialy when water surface is rich with the nutritions.
Taxonomy is very important but can be a very dry thing ...
To include behavioral data helps you to tell an amazing story about your species! You have therefore the possibility to show everybody that you are able to follow precise rules (ICZN) on the one hand and tell a good story that people love to read on the other. I also love taxonomic paper which includes a biogeography paragraph, just in case you've data.
Good luck and have fun!
Yes I agree you must read the book of Judith Winston cited above
Best wishes
Dear Jordan, I think that the main difference between a poor description and a really good one is to add all the information that you have of that species that you are describing. If you have natural history information that will help a lot to make a better description of that new species. So, my personal advice is to add it.
You must play by the rules and norms of the international codes, for publications.
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