The Subspecies Category in Mammals

Variation and distribution in the tree‐frog genus Phyllomedusa in Costa Rica, central America

“…However, the continuing tendency of systematists working on well-known groups to recognize smaller and smaller units (demes in many cases) as subspecies, based on smaller and smaller differences, as discussed by WILSON and BROWN (1953) and BURT (1954) and advocated by DURRANT (19 j 5), leads to the ridiculous situation where a category of convenience has become one of inconvenience. When it is necessary to study samples of fifty specimens and subject their characteristics to detailed statistical analysis before a decision can be made as to which subspecies they belong (see CLARK HUBBS, 1952, on Gibbonsia;SCHWARTZ, 1959, on Leiocephalus;and MERTENS and WERMUTH, i960, on Lacerta as examples) whatever taxonomic utility the subspecies may have had has long since been lost.…”

Gloger's Rule and Pigmentation of Collembola

“…The original observations by Gloger (1833) on the coloration of birds in relation to their geographical position have been confirmed for different species belonging to several taxa, though some important exceptions were pointed out by Burt (1954) and Croizat (1964). The decrease of pigmentation at higher latitudes, however, does not seem to be valid for invertebrates.…”

Evaluation of the population structure of Anguilla bicolor and A. bengalensis using total number of vertebrae and consideration of the subspecies concept for the genus Anguilla

“…However, to use and expand the use of the subspecies concept to A. marmorata as in case (2), it requires the use of two taxonomic (species and subspecies) and one ecological (population) units. Furthermore, some biologists have suggested that the subspecies as a category rank should be abolished (Wilson & Brown 1953;Burt 1954;Hagmeier 1958). Furthermore, some biologists have suggested that the subspecies as a category rank should be abolished (Wilson & Brown 1953;Burt 1954;Hagmeier 1958).…”