Are publications on zoological taxonomy under attack?

Taxonomy is essential to biological sciences and the priority field to be supported in face of the biodiversity crisis. The industry of scientific publications has made extensive use of bibliometric indexes, resulting in distortions to institutions, organizations, and researchers, such as the side effect known as Journal Impact Factor (JIF) mania. Inadequacies of the most widely used bibliometric indexes from giant companies Clarivate™ (InCites™) and RELX™ Elsevier B.V. (Scopus®) to assessment of the relevance of taxonomic publications were considered as one of the impediments for the progress of this field. Recently, Clarivate suppressed the mega-journal Zootaxa, focused on taxonomy, from Journal Citation Reports (JCR), a database with 12,000 periodicals. Zootaxa suppression, together with other 32 journals, was based on an unusual high proportion of self-citations. Suppressed journals would thus not receive a value of JIF for 2020. A prompt reaction from the scientific community against the suppression of Zootaxa took place and, accordingly, Clarivate announced its reinstatement. This situation exposed many persistent myths and misuses of bibliometric indexes. The goal of this study is to shed light on the impacts of bibliometric indexes to the taxonomic field and on underlying aspects of the suppression of Zootaxa. Our major question is whether the suppression of any journal from JIF can really affect the production in the taxonomic field. We explored data metrics from the JCR (Web of Science Core Collection™) for 2010–2018 of the top ten zoological journals (eight are included in JCR) in the number of new taxa and journals focused on or regularly publishing taxonomic studies, totaling 123 journals. Zootaxa shows higher levels of self-citations than similar journals. We consider that two possible explanations provided for the high number of self-citations, i.e., Zootaxa’s scope on taxonomy and the fact that it is a mega-journal, are inadequate. Instead, putative explanations are related to the “Zootaxa phenomenon,” a sociological bias that includes visibility, and potential harmful myths that portray Zootaxa as the unique journal that publishes taxonomic studies with an inviting JIF value. Menaces to taxonomy as a science come from many sources and the low bibliometric values of its journals are only one of the factors that contribute for establishing the so-called taxonomic impediment. We suggest rejection of bibliometric indexes, including JIF, instead of considering them when convenient. Taxonomists as a community, instead of being deeply focused on journal metrics endorsing the villainy of bibliometric policies imposed by dominant companies, should be engaged with renewed strength in actions directly connected to the development and promotion of this science

First records of Sepedonea lindneri (Hendel, 1932) and Protodictya lilloana Steyskal, 1953 (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) from Uruguay with an overview on their biology

Sciomyzidae (Diptera) has been recorded in several countries of South America, but few species have been found in Uruguay. We report the first record of Sepedonea lindneri (Hendel, 1932) and Protodictya lilloana Steyskal, 1953 (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) from Uruguay. The specimens were collected in rice crops and in adjacent native vegetation with sweep net and vacuum sampler from December to March (2012–2015) in the Eastern region of the country. Photos of collection areas, habitus of adults and distribution map of the species are provided

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the shore-fly tribe Scatellini (Diptera: Ephydridae: Ephydrinae)

ABSTRACT The tribe Scatellini comprises 247 species (plus five nomina dubia) that are distributed in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica. The tribe currently includes nine genera. One genus, Scatella Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, includes six subgenera. To test the monophyly of Scatellini and to understand the phylogenetic relationships among the included genera, a cladistic analysis was performed. The optimization criterion chosen was parsimony using implicit character weighting, and the analysis was based on the morphological characters of adult males and females. The species of eight of nine genera of Scatellini from different geographic regions were studied. Species of the other tribes of Ephydrinae were also included to provide insight on the phylogenetic position of Scatellini within this subfamily. The implied weighting analysis showed that the tribe Scatellini, as currently characterized, is a monophyletic group, as are all the genera included in it. From this analysis, two major lineages emerged: 1. Scatella and its included subgenera; 2. All other genera of Scatellini. The latter clade includes (Thinoscatella (Lamproscatella + Haloscatella)) and the clade (Amalopteryx (Philotelma (Limnellia + Scatophila))). Five subgenera of Scatella were recovered as monophyletic groups: Parascatella Cresson, Synhoplos Lamb, Apulvillus Malloch, Scatella, and Teichomyza Macquart. Neoscatella Malloch is synonymized with Scatella sensu stricto. In the implied weighting analysis, Ephydrini and Scatellini are sister-groups. Based on this phylogenetic reconstruction, the taxonomy of Scatellini is presented at the generic level. A key to the included genera and subgenera is also presented

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Análise cladística de Sciomyzidae Fallen, 1820 (Diptera)

Orientador: Cláudio José Barros de CarvalhoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Curso de Pós-graduação em Ciências BiológicasInclui referências: p. 62-69Área de Concentração: EntomologiaResumo: É apresentada uma análise para definição do relacionamento filogenético entre os gêneros pertencentes à família Sciomyzidae sensu Griffiths, cuja distribuição é mundial. A monofilia de Sciomyzidae sensu Griffiths é definida pelo hábito de malacofagia das larvas. Para a realização da análise foi utilizado o programa HENNIG86, desenvolvido por Farris (1988). Foram utilizados 36 caracteres morfológicos e um comportamental, distribuídos em 50 gêneros, para os quais desenhos de antena e terminália masculina são apresentados. Após a análise ponderada, realizada com o sistema de pesos sucessivos, seis cladogramas foram obtidos e a partir destes um de consenso é apresentado. As subfamílias Salticellinae e Sciomyzinae são monofiléticas, assim como as tribos de Sciomyzinae, Sciomyzini e Tetanocerini. Eutrichomelina Steyskal, 1975, anteriormente posicionado em Sciomyzini, pertence à Tetanocerini. O gênero Antichaeta Haliday, 1838, considerado por muitos autores como de posição não definida, pertence à tribo Tetanocerini. Dentro de Sciomyzini um grande grupo monofilético foi formado pelos gêneros Colobaea Zetterstedt, 1837; Tetanura Fallén, 1920, Atrichomelina Cresson, 1920; Oidematops Cresson, 1920 + Sciomyza Fallén, 1820. Dentro deste há o grupo consistente formado por Atrichomelina, Oidematops + Sciomyza. Na base de Tetanocerini os grupos de Shannonia Malloch, 1933 + Perilimnia Becker, 1919 e Hoplodictya Cresson, 1920 + Dictya Meigen, 1803 são monofiléticos. Três grandes grupos de gêneros são formados dentro de Tetanocerini. O primeiro formado por Euthycerina Malloch, 1933; Psacadina Enderlein, 1933; Steyskalina Ghorpade, 1983; Tetanocera Duméril, 1800 e Tryptolimnia Mayer, 1953. O segundo pelos gêneros Dictyodes Malloch, 1933; llione Verbeke, 1964; Pherbina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Trypetoptera Hendel, 1900; Limnia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Poecilographa Melander, 1913 e Pherbecta Steyskal, 1956 + Protodictya Malloch, 1933. E o terceiro por Guatemalia Steyskal, 1960; Elgiva Meigen, 1838; Dichetophora Rondani, 1868; Hedria Steyskal, 1954; Coremacera Rondani, 1856; Dictyacium Steyskal, 1920; Euthycera Latreille, 1829; Ethiolimnia Verbeke, 1950; Teutoniomya Hennig, 1952; Thecomyia Perty, 1833; Sepedoninus Verbeke, 1950; Sepedonella Verbeke, 1950; Sepedon Latreille, 1804; Sepedomerus Steyskal, 1973 + Sepedonea Steyskal, 1973. Dentro deste último, os gêneros Coremacera, Dictyacium e Euthycera formam um grupo monofilético, não estando ainda resolvidos seus relacionamentos filogenéticos; e o grupo formado por Ethiolimnia, Teutoniomya, Thecomyia, Sepedoninus, Sepedonella, Sepedon, Sepedomerus + Sepedonea é monofilético.Abstract: A cladistic analysis is presented in order to define the phylogenetic relationships among the genera of the family Sciomyzidae sensu Griffiths, which has a worldwide distribution. The monophyly of Sciomyzidae sensu Griffiths is based on the habit of malacophagy of the larvae. The analysis was done using the HENNIG86 program which was developed by Farris (1988). In the analysis 36 morphological characters and one behavioral were arranged among 50 genera. Illustrations of antenna and male terminalia are presented. After the analysis using the successive weighting, six cladograms were obtained and from these one consensus cladogram is presented. The subfamilies Salticellinae and Sciomyzinae are monophyletic as the tribes Sciomyzini and Tetanocerini. Eutrichomelina Steyskal, 1975 that has been placed in the tribe Sciomyzini belongs to the Tetanocerini. The genus Antichaeta Haliday, 1838 that had no previous defined position belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini. Within the Sciomyzini a monophyletic group was built by the genera Colobaea Zetterstedt, 1837; Tetanura Fallen, 1820; Atrichomelina Cresson, 1920; Oidematops Cresson, 1920 + Sciomyza Fallen, 1820. Within this group there is the consistent group formed by Atrichomelina, Oidematops + Sciomyza. In the base of the Tetanocerini the groups of Shannonia Malloch, 1933 + Perilimnia Becker, 1919 and Hoplodictya Cresson, 1920 + Dictya Meigen, 1803 are monophyletic. Three major groups of genera are formed within the Tetanocerini. The first by Euthycerina Malloch, 1933; Psacadina Enderlein, 1933; Steyskalina Ghorpade, 1983; Tetanocera Dumeril, 1800 and Tryptolimnia Mayer, 1953. The second by the generaDictyodes Malloch, 1933; llione Verbeke, 1964; Pherbina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Trypetoptera Hendel, 1900; Limnia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Poecilographa Melander, 1913 e Pherbecta Steyskal, 1956 + Protodictya Malloch, 1933. And the third by Guatemalia Steyskal, 1960; Elgiva Meigen, 1838; Dichetophora Rondani, 1868; Hedria Steyskal, 1954; Coremacera Rondani, 1856; Dictyacium Steyskal, 1920; Euthycera Latreille, 1829; Ethiolimnia Verbeke, 1950; Teutoniomya Hennig, 1952; Thecomyia Perty, 1833; Sepedoninus Verbeke, 1950; Sepedonella Verbeke, 1950; Sepedon Latreille, 1804; Sepedomerus Steyskal, 1973 + Sepedonea Steyskal, 1973. Within the last one the genera Coremacera, Dictyacium and Euthycera are a monophyletic group without any resolution of their phylogenetic relationships; and the group of Ethiolimnia, Teutoniomya, Thecomyia, Sepedoninus, Sepedonella, Sepedon, Sepedomerus + Sepedonea is monophyletic