With the advent of molecular phylogenetics the name changes and Plant merger in a given year are almost equalling or even surpassing Plant Discoveries. We are getting comprehensive update of Discoveries with regard to Indian subcontinent through the excellent illustrated publication Plant Discoveries. However it is increasingly becoming difficult to keep track of name changes and merger, essential for taxonomic research, as the Indian authors are now publishing their research in very varied journals some of which do not give open access to the readers. Hence if a list of name changes and merger is appended in the book Plant Discoveries, this will be a real help to the Indian taxonomists.
Further adding to my answer, in case of difference of opinion regarding merger or new names what is published has to be accepted until someone has a different opinion and publishes. It is more like IPNI publishing all names. In taxonomy opinion differs in a large number of cases
I too support it. It can be included with a change in the title.
P.S.: The view of Pankaj is reasonable. In case of new synonyms the reference of the publication where the names have been merged should be given. Then it would be up to the scientific community to accept it or not.
Being a part of BSI I assume you are already aware that BSI publishes a list of new names for each year especially from India and I assume it won't add more pressure if they produce a list of new synonyms too. But there is one issue with new synonyms, all of us do not share same opinion. But then its still good to produce the list and who wants to use or not to use may depend on them.
Pankaj ji,
Please note that my question is related to the particular Project Plant Discoveries from Indian subcontinent initiated by Botanical Survey of India. You are silent about the inclusion of the name changes.
Regards,
Tapas
Tapas
You are right we should include name changes and synonyms as part of the species numbers given group wise under updated figures of Indian Algae, Fungi and Plant diversity. For this we need a small dedicated team (as in IPNI or earlier in Index Kewensis) in BSI and access to all journals. Only this exercise can provide near accurate numbers of species diversity in India (not Indian subcontinent as whole because we do not include species from other countries).
Further adding to my answer, in case of difference of opinion regarding merger or new names what is published has to be accepted until someone has a different opinion and publishes. It is more like IPNI publishing all names. In taxonomy opinion differs in a large number of cases
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