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Fontaine, B.; Achterberg, C. van; Alonso-Zarazaga, M.A.; Araujo, R.; Asche, M.; Aspöck, H.; Aspöck, U.; Audisio, P.; Aukema, B.; Bailly, N.; Balsamo, M.; Bank, R.A.; Belfiore, C.; Bogdanowicz, W.; Boxshall, G.; Burckhardt, D.; Chylarecki, P.; Deharveng, L.; Dubois, A.; Enghoff, H.; Fochetti, R.; Fontaine, C.; Gargominy, O.; Lopez, M.S.G.; Goujet, D.; Harvey, M.S.; Heller, K.-G.; Helsdingen, P. van; Hoch, H.; Jong, Y. de; Karsholt, O.; Los, W.; Magowski, W.; Massard, J.A.; McInnes, S.J.; Mendes, L.F.; Mey, E.; Michelsen, V.; Minelli, A.; Nafria, J.M.N.; Nieukerken, E.J. van; Pape, Th.; Prins, W. de; Ramos, M.; Ricci, C.; Roselaar, C.; Rota, E.; Segers, H.; Timm, T.; Tol, J. van; Bouchet, P.. |
The number of described species on the planet is about 1.9 million, with ca. 17,000 new species described annually, mostly from the tropics. However, taxonomy is usually described as a science in crisis, lacking manpower and funding, a politically acknowledged problem known as the Taxonomic Impediment. Using data from the Fauna Europaea database and the Zoological Record, we show that contrary to general belief, developed and heavily-studied parts of the world are important reservoirs of unknown species. In Europe, new species of multicellular terrestrial and freshwater animals are being discovered and named at an unprecedented rate: since the 1950s, more than 770 new species are on average described each year from Europe, which add to the 125,000... |
Tipo: Article / Letter to the editor |
Palavras-chave: Taxonomy; Biodiversity; Species; 42.48; 42.70. |
Ano: 2012 |
URL: http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/420238 |
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