Hitting the right target: taxonomic challenges for, and of, plant invasions

Pys̆ek, P.; Hulme, Philip E.; Meyerson, Laura A.; Smith, Gideon F.; Boatwright, J.S.; Crouch, Neil R.; Figueiredo, Estrela; Foxcroft, Llewellyn C.; Jaros̆ı́k, Vojtĕch; Richardson, David M.; Suda, Jan; Wilson, John R.

doi:10.1093/aobpla/plt042

Cited by 97 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 123 publications

(152 reference statements)

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“…In the long term, this problem will best be solved by increasing the taxonomic expertise of ecologists building and using datasets containing large numbers of species. Thus, our study provides further evidence to support calls for continued investment in plant systematics and the representation of taxonomy and botany in university curricula (Wheeler et al 2012, Pyšek et al 2013, Bebber et al 2014, Wheeler 2014, Deng 2015.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…This can lead to a lack of taxonomic congruence among existing lists and ultimately the assembly of a taxonomically unreliable dataset (Jansen and Dengler 2010). The use of unreliable datasets is of concern as they increase the risk of reaching questionable ecological conclusions and making poorly informed conservation and management decisions (Pyšek et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The protocol draws partly on established knowledge and procedures for taxonomic cleaning (e.g. Chapman 2005, Chavan 2007, Kooyman et al 2012, Pyšek et al 2013, Mathew et al 2014) and expands upon these in a systematic way to include searches for taxa new to a study region since the production of source datasets, confirmation of the occurrence of taxa in the region through manual inspection of distribution records, and verification of the ecological status of taxa. Our second aim is to present a case study that assembles a dataset of naturalized species and infra-species in the Asteraceae in Australia by merging two publicly available source datasets (Groves et al 2003, Randall 2007.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Taxonomic perils and pitfalls of dataset assembly in ecology: a case study of the naturalized Asteraceae in Australia

Murray¹,

Martin²,

Phillips³

et al. 2017

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The value of plant ecological datasets with hundreds or thousands of species is principally determined by the taxonomic accuracy of their plant names. However, combining existing lists of species to assemble a harmonized dataset that is clean of taxonomic errors can be a difficult task for non-taxonomists. Here, we describe the range of taxonomic difficulties likely to be encountered during dataset assembly and present an easy-to-use taxonomic cleaning protocol aimed at assisting researchers not familiar with the finer details of taxonomic cleaning. The protocol produces a final dataset (FD) linked to a companion dataset (CD), providing clear details of the path from existing lists to the FD taken by each cleaned taxon. Taxa are checked off against ten categories in the CD that succinctly summarize all taxonomic modifications required. Two older, publicly-available lists of naturalized Asteraceae in Australia were merged into a harmonized dataset as a case study to quantify the impacts of ignoring the critical process of taxonomic cleaning in invasion ecology. Our FD of naturalized Asteraceae contained 257 species and infra-species. Without implementation of the full cleaning protocol, the dataset would have contained 328 taxa, a 28% overestimate of taxon richness by 71 taxa. Our naturalized Asteraceae CD described the exclusion of 88 names due to nomenclatural issues (e.g. synonymy), the inclusion of 26 updated currently accepted names and four taxa newly naturalized since the production of the source datasets, and the exclusion of 13 taxa that were either found not to be in Australia or were in fact doubtfully naturalized. This study also supports the notion that automated processes alone will not be enough to ensure taxonomically clean datasets, and that manual scrutiny of data is essential. In the long term, this will best be supported by increased investment in taxonomy and botany in university curricula. NeoBiotaBrad R. Murray et al. / NeoBiota 34: 1-20 (2017) 2

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Taxonomic perils and pitfalls of dataset assembly in ecology: a case study of the naturalized Asteraceae in Australia

Murray¹,

Martin²,

Phillips³

et al. 2017

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“…The obtained data facilitate the detection and identification of closely related taxa and the generation and/or testing of phylogenetic hypotheses (Gavrilov-Zimin 2011;Gokhman 1997Gokhman , 2007Marinho et al 2014;Pyšek et al 2013). One of the clearest examples of the value of cytogenetics in phylogenetic reconstructions is the case of primate evolution (Stanyon et al 2008).…”

Section: The Importance Of Selecting the Right Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Some Cytogenetic Methods for the Investigation of Insect Chromosomes and Their Implications for Research in Systematic Entomology

Koçak¹,

Okutaner²

2017

LEB

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Abstract:The use of karyological studies in insects is of considerable significance. However, chromosome karyotyping has been hampered principally by: 1) the minute size of many insects, 2) the recovery of suitable tissues, 3) the small number of cells adequate for analyses 4) the smallness of the chromosomes in some groups, 5) the difficulty in obtaining satisfactory numbers of well-spread or dispersed metaphases, and 6) the determination of the best time of the year to carry out chromosome preparations using freshly collected material because the life history of many insects is still not well-known. Many attempts have been made to reduce these difficulties by developing novel karyological methods. These procedures can yield chromosome preparations applicable to a wide variety of insects. In this paper, we outline techniques for preparation and observation of chromosomes from insect cells. Also, implications of chromosome techniques on insect systematics are discussed.

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“…Funding for taxonomy and the upkeep of herbaria is declining worldwide (Smith et al 2008, Guerin 2013, Pyšek et al 2013 and is a concern that can be compounded because expertise for alien species is less likely to exist in any particular country. Herbarium specimens, upon which comprehensive lists are ideally based (Pyšek et al 2013), require curation as taxa are revised or new information becomes available, e.g. from molecular and other studies (e.g., Le Roux et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying errors and omissions in alien species lists: The introduction status of Melaleuca species in South Africa as a case study

Jacobs¹,

Richardson²,

Lepschi³

et al. 2017

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Introduced species lists provide essential background information for biological invasions research and management. The compilation of these lists is, however, prone to a variety of errors. We highlight the frequency and consequences of such errors using introduced Melaleuca (sensu lato, including Callistemon) species in South Africa as a case study. We examined 111 herbarium specimens from South Africa and noted the categories and sub-categories of errors that occurred in identification. We also used information from herbarium specimens and distribution data collected in the field to determine whether a species was introduced, naturalized and invasive. We found that 72% of the specimens were not named correctly. These were due to human error (70%) (misidentification, and improved identifications) and species identification problems (30%) (synonyms arising from inclusion of Callistemon, and unresolved taxonomy). At least 36 Melaleuca species have been introduced to South Africa, and field observations indicate that ten of these have naturalized, including five that are invasive. While most of the errors likely have negligible impact on management, we highlight one case where incorrect identification lead to an inappropriate management approach and some instances of errors in published lists. Invasive species lists need to be carefully reviewed to minimise errors, and herbarium specimens supported by DNA identification are required where identification using morphological features is particularly challenging. NeoBiotaLlewellyn E. O. Jacobs et al. / NeoBiota 32: 89-105 (2017) 90

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Hitting the right target: taxonomic challenges for, and of, plant invasions

Cited by 97 publications

References 123 publications

Taxonomic perils and pitfalls of dataset assembly in ecology: a case study of the naturalized Asteraceae in Australia

Taxonomic perils and pitfalls of dataset assembly in ecology: a case study of the naturalized Asteraceae in Australia

Some Cytogenetic Methods for the Investigation of Insect Chromosomes and Their Implications for Research in Systematic Entomology

Quantifying errors and omissions in alien species lists: The introduction status of Melaleuca species in South Africa as a case study

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