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Type: Articles
Published: 2011-04-29
Page range: 85–88
Abstract views: 51
PDF downloaded: 25

Comment on “Taxonomy and the DNA Barcoding Enterprise” by Ebach (2011)

South Australian Museum, North Terrace, GPO Box 234, SA 5000, and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Adelaide, Australia
Laboratoire d’Ecologie, EA 1293 ECODIV, FED SCALE, Bâtiment IRESE A, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Université de Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France
Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR7205 CNRS, "Origine, Structure et Evolution de la Biodiversité", 45 rue Buffon, C.P.50, 75005 Paris, France
Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR7205 CNRS, "Origine, Structure et Evolution de la Biodiversité", 45 rue Buffon, C.P.50, 75005 Paris, France
General Taxonomy DNA Barcoding Enterprise

Abstract

Since Linnæus (1735) proposed a now globally adopted classification scheme, taxonomists have benefited greatly from the ‘Linnæan Binomial Enterprise’. Ebach’s (2011) concerns, particularly that taxonomy “is slowly dying off”, were around well before DNA barcoding began. Here we discuss the integrative potential of DNA barcoding with morphology, which contrary to Ebach’s comments, has proved a useful addition to the taxonomists tool-kit; such molecular applications to taxonomy are not new and have been widely used by taxonomists for over 30 years (e.g., Kitchener et al. 1984).

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