Taxonomic databases should reflect, and not substitute, published scientific literature and community consensus: some observations on WoRMS and barnacles

Collareta, Alberto; Perreault, Ray T.; Buckeridge, John S.; Coletti, Giovanni; Kočí, Tomáš; Jones, Diana S.; Bosselaers, Mark; Newman, William A.

doi:10.1111/1749-4877.12472

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…As somewhat anticipated by Collareta et al . ( 2020 ), we mostly disagree with such an arrangement of the coronuloids, which proposes drastic changes that should also be properly substantiated by extensive morphological observations on extant and extinct forms. Thus, while acknowledging the impressive amount of results and interpretations provided by Chan et al .…”

Section: Methodscontrasting

confidence: 64%

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

et al. 2021

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The fossil history of turtle and whale barnacles (Coronuloidea: Chelonibiidae, Platylepadidae, Coronulidae and †Emersoniidae) is fragmentary and has only been investigated in part. Morphological inferences and molecular phylogenetic analyses on extant specimens suggest that the roots of whale barnacles (Coronulidae) are to be found among the chelonibiid turtle barnacles, but the hard‐part modifications that enabled early coronuloids to attach to the cetacean skin are still largely to be perceived. Here, we reappraise a fossil chelonibiid specimen from the Miocene of insular Tanzania that was previously referred to the living species Chelonibia caretta. This largely forgotten specimen is here described as the holotype of the new species †Chelonibia zanzibarensis. While similar to C. caretta, †C. zanzibarensis exhibits obvious external longitudinal parietal canals occurring in‐between external longitudinal parietal septa that abut outwards to form T‐shaped flanges, a character so far regarded as proper of the seemingly more derived Coronulidae and Platylepadidae. Along with these features, the presence of a substrate imprint on the shell exterior indicates that †C. zanzibarensis grasped its host's integument in much the same way as coronulids and platylepadids, albeit without the development of macroscopic parietal buttresses and bolsters. Thin section analyses of the inner parietal architecture of some extant and extinct coronuloids conclusively demonstrate that vestiges of comparable external parietal microstructures are present in some living members of Chelonibiidae. This observation strengthens the unity of Coronuloidea while significantly contributing to our understanding of the evolution of the coronuloid shell structure in adapting to a diverse spectrum of hosts.

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Section: Methodscontrasting

confidence: 64%

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

et al. 2021

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“…I acknowledge that universal or even widespread consensus on taxonomic issues is not always achievable. Collareta et al (2020) have put the wider issue succinctly: '… while widespread scientific consensus may often be hard to reach, the search for it can neither be sidetracked nor limited to a relatively small group of researchers. '…”

Section: Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magallana or mayhem?

Willan¹

2021

Molluscan Research

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Given the competitive side of human nature, it is inevitable that some people will wish to suppress the openly available (i.e. published) hypotheses of others in favour of their own. This opinion piece uses three molluscan examples at the level of genusinvolving oysters (Magallana: Ostreidae), land snails (Powelliphanta: Rhytididae) and nudibranchs (Trinchesia: Trinchesiidae)wherein workers suffering from 'revision shock' have used non-taxonomic courses of action to express their dissidence by attempting to suppress the taxonomy of others (i.e. by recommending avoidance, personal attacks, or omission, respectively). Although 'revision shock' is understandable following change at any taxonomic level and universal consensus within the research community is not always achievable, none of these courses for suppression is beneficial to scientific knowledge or endeavour in the long term. Such dissidence should be contained within the bounds of evidence-based published science; certainly not posted on social media sites. In the interests of objectivity and ethics, everyone should adopt the latest justified and openly published taxonomic hypothesis, even though they do not necessarily agree with it, and expect further changes with future research.

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“…Editorial Note: “This response to Collareta et al . (2020) was reviewed by several taxonomists, all who expressed a degree of misgiving about the editorial processes and protocols involved in the revision of the Thoracica and publication of this revision in WoRMS. It is critical that future editors ensure that any taxonomic revision is supported by peer‐reviewed publication.”…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We write this plea for direct contact with the WoRMS team in response to a letter published in July 2020 in Integrative Zoology (Collareta et al . 2020) highlighting the issue of unsupported taxonomic changes in WoRMS. In February 2020, a number of changes were made to the higher taxonomy of the thoracican barnacles within WoRMS which were not backed up by a published, citable source, an erroneous action, not in line with the WoRMS best practice guidelines (Horton et al .…”

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confidence: 99%

WoRMS needs YOU! A Reply to Collareta et al. 2020

2021

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Editorial Note: "This response to Collareta et al. (2020) was reviewed by several taxonomists, all who expressed a degree of misgiving about the editorial processes and protocols involved in the revision of the Thoracica and publication of this revision in WoRMS. It is critical that future editors ensure that any taxonomic revision is supported by peer-reviewed publication."The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS Editorial Board 2020) is a community-driven effort to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms (Horton et al. 2017; Vandepitte et al. 2018). The only way to achieve this goal is through broadscale collaboration between taxonomic experts from a wide range of disciplines, regions, and backgrounds. The past 13 years have been a story of achievements, with more than 500 taxonomic and thematic editors volunteering their time to participate in the creation of this unique and freely available resource.WoRMS is truly collaborative and does not rely on the taxonomic editors alone to improve its content and functionality. The input of its users is critical to the work of WoRMS, to provide feedback, spot omissions, and errors, and in making suggestions for improved tools and new features that the community needs. The support of the Data Management Team, in processing the numerous enquiries from users, answering or directing them to the right editor, and ensuring they are dealt with swiftly, is also key to the success of the database.

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Taxonomic databases should reflect, and not substitute, published scientific literature and community consensus: some observations on WoRMS and barnacles

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

Magallana or mayhem?

WoRMS needs YOU! A Reply to Collareta et al. 2020

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