S59: The species concept in practice

In all of biology, the species name is the cornerstone of taxonomy. The taxonomist develops a name  based on the observed characteristics of one or more examples of the described group. The characteristics chosen ideally will differentiate the named group from similar groups. Many models exist for the characteristics used for such classification into groups. Under the rules of nomenclature, competing taxonomies are permissible. Various methods of classification can yield somewhat different taxonomies, at least in detail. This ambiguity satisfies the research taxonomist but can confuse the users of taxonomy who wish stability and certainty when assigning a name to an organism. The user needs to find the “right answer” to the species identity of an organism. However, no juridical mechanism exist in all of cellular biology that will decide on the correctness of an assigned name. Further, the tendency is to overgeneralize the properties of an organism from the name. This session will describe various model sets of characteristics ranging from anatomical, biochemical reactions, sequences, and combinations. Speakers will describe creation and use of taxonomies in such areas as study of diversity, culture collection management, construction of identification methodology, and  regulation of potential risk.