The last couple of posts discussed the recent publication of Thysania winbrechiini, a new species split from T. agrippina by Brechlin and XXX. My initial position was skepticism--is this a careful and valid revision of the genus? My new position is outrage, based on what I have learned about "taxonomic vandalism." An excellent piece in Smithsonian* discusses the general issue of "scientists" that name scores of new species based on thin evidence, not to enhance understanding (in fact, to obfuscate it), but to fuel their egos.
In the case of the T. Winbrechiini lead author: Ronald Brechlin has named 1,420 species of Lepidoptera. This is prima facie absurd. Linneaus himself managed only 166. One writer** has referred to a special category: "Brechlin and Meister" species"
There is no doubt a case for investigating the genus Thysania. It even seems likely that the species designations made in 1776 (agrippina and zenobia) and 1924 (pomponia) will change when examined with modern data and technique. Hopefully a serious and careful researcher will engage this task, and repair any taxonomic vandalism that may have been committed.
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* A Few Bad Scientists Are Threatening to Topple Taxonomy.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-big-ugly-problem-heart-of-taxonomy-180964629
** Brechlin and Meister Species. https://breedingbutterflies.com/brechlin-meister-species/
In the case of the T. Winbrechiini lead author: Ronald Brechlin has named 1,420 species of Lepidoptera. This is prima facie absurd. Linneaus himself managed only 166. One writer** has referred to a special category: "Brechlin and Meister" species"
There is no doubt a case for investigating the genus Thysania. It even seems likely that the species designations made in 1776 (agrippina and zenobia) and 1924 (pomponia) will change when examined with modern data and technique. Hopefully a serious and careful researcher will engage this task, and repair any taxonomic vandalism that may have been committed.
--------------------------------------------------------------
* A Few Bad Scientists Are Threatening to Topple Taxonomy.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-big-ugly-problem-heart-of-taxonomy-180964629
** Brechlin and Meister Species. https://breedingbutterflies.com/brechlin-meister-species/