Addressing Short-term Names in WoRMS: Interim Methods for the Taxonomic Obstacle
The taxonomic community is increasingly adopting temporary names for new species discoveries, a trend that necessitates their inclusion in taxonomic databases like WoRMS. In response, a new approach to standardize the entry of temporary names has been formulated, as outlined in the paper "Tackling temporary names in WoRMS: interim solutions for the taxonomic impediment".
Published on WoRMS' website, this paper provides practical recommendations for improving nomenclatural consistency in taxonomic databases. These recommendations, which have been formalized as commitments by WoRMS under the 2021 endorsement as a UN Ocean Decade Action, aim to enhance the quality and usability of taxonomic data.
Clear Criteria for Temporary Name Entry
The recommendations specify clear criteria for which temporary names can be entered, distinguishing accepted, unaccepted, unavailable, and informal (temporary) names. These criteria follow nomenclatural consistency guidelines first outlined by Horton et al. in a 2017 paper.
Standardizing Terminology and Documentation
The paper also emphasizes the importance of standardizing the terminology and documentation of different types of temporary names to ensure clarity and consistent understanding among taxonomic editors and database users.
Recommended Practices for Data Entry
Established recommended practices for data entry specify how these temporary names should be entered into the database so that they are recognizable and useful but avoid confusion with formally accepted taxa.
Collaborative Efforts
Several experts, including former Steering Committee members, the Data Management Team, and external experts, collaborated for over two years to create this paper. This collaborative effort reflects the broad taxonomic community's needs and aims to promote interoperability and harmonized handling of temporary names across systems.
Beyond WoRMS
While the paper focuses on WoRMS, the recommendations are not limited to this taxonomic database. They are intended to apply to taxonomic databases in general, promoting a consistent approach to dealing with temporary names across systems.
The Significance of the Paper
In the context of the triple planetary crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, this paper is significant. By improving the handling of temporary names in taxonomic databases, it contributes to the efficient recording and understanding of new species discoveries, ultimately aiding in conservation efforts.
With these recommendations, WoRMS takes a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by the frequent use of informal names by researchers and supporting the broader, robust integration of informal and formal taxonomies into global taxonomic databases.
- The recommendations as outlined in the paper "Tackling temporary names in WoRMS: interim solutions for the taxonomic impediment" suggest standardizing the terminology and documentation of different types of temporary names in environmental-science databases like WoRMS, aiming to enhance the lifestyle and usability of data for medical-conditions research and technology-based conservation efforts.
- In order to promote a harmonized handling of temporary names across various taxonomic databases, the collaborative efforts outlined in the paper "Tackling temporary names in WoRMS: interim solutions for the taxonomic impediment" propose clear criteria for data entry in the realm of environmental-science research, applying not only to WoRMS but also to other databases in this field.
