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Hi Lance & All, Mar 31, 2015
The recurrent lumping & splitting of many species clusters is =
perhaps an indirect consequence of the 'type specimen' concept. The =
notion being that, if you just do it carefully enough, all species can =
be defined in ways which are distinct from other similar species. This =
is just a form of looking in the dark closet for the black cat that is =
not there; and finding it.
As G.G. Simpson, Prof. of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Museum of =
Comparative Zoology of Harvard Univ., observed (1967, Biology and the =
Public Good) "...organisms cannot be truthfully or usefully considered =
in terms of types."=20
One should be prepared to accept that within some broadly defined =
species there may be many different branches which are not quite =
distinct and which, given the opportunity, can produce fertile =
offspring.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Laviolette, Lance (EXP)=20
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 6:08 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Hoary and Common Redpolls one species?
Hi everyone,
=20
Ultimately the question of "what is a species" currently comes down to =
the determination of how much DNA difference is enough. The paper =
doesn't say that Hoary Redpolls and Common redpolls have identical DNA, =
it says that the DNA is extremely similar. Ultimately the American =
Ornithologists Union, which is the body which makes the final decision =
in North America, will decide if the DNA is similar enough to lump the =
two or not.
=20
There is certainly no harm in continuing to report the two 'forms' of =
redpolls regardless of the species status. The Ipswich form of the =
Savannah Sparrow is an example of this that is near and dear to the =
heart of Nova Scotia birders. Who knows, in the distant future new =
methods and/or decision makers may declare that the difference between =
Common and Hoary Redpolls is in fact not as similar as this paper has =
concluded. If that time arrives then people will wish they recorded them =
separately.
=20
All the best,
=20
Lance
=20
Lance Laviolette
Glen Robertson, Ontario
=20
=20
=20
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of N Robinson
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 2:21 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: EXTERNAL: [NatureNS] Hoary and common redpolls one species?
=20
This just in:
=
http://blog.allaboutbirds.org/2015/03/30/from-many-one-how-many-species-o=
f-redpolls-are-there/
Nancy
No virus found in this message.
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<DIV>Hi Lance & All, =
=20
=
=20
Mar 31, 2015</DIV>
<DIV> The recurrent lumping & splitting of =
many=20
species clusters is perhaps an indirect consequence of the 'type =
specimen'=20
concept. The notion being that, if you just do it carefully =
enough, all=20
species can be defined in ways which are distinct from other =
similar=20
species. This is just a form of looking in the dark closet for the black =
cat=20
that is not there; and finding it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> As G.G. Simpson, Prof. of Vertebrate =
Paleontology at the=20
Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard Univ., observed (1967, =
Biology and=20
the Public Good) "...organisms cannot be truthfully or usefully =
considered in=20
terms of types." </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> One should be prepared to accept that within =
some=20
broadly defined species there may be many different branches which =
are not=20
quite distinct and which, given the opportunity, can produce fertile=20
offspring.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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