Sources for Animal Names in the NatureServe Central Databases

To avoid confusion, each taxon tracked in the databases of NatureServe and its natural heritage member programs must have a unique name that differentiates it reliably from all other taxa. Although this may sound like a simple task, drawing up a standard list of scientific names for many taxa is a complicated and ongoing process. New species are constantly being described in the scientific literature as scientists increase their understanding of the genetics, morphology, and relationships among populations. In addition, the information needed to describe and differentiate species is often incomplete or open to different interpretations, often leading to debate and legitimate differences of opinion among specialists regarding the designation, classification, and naming of particular species. Scientists even have philosophical disagreements on what constitutes a species. To prevent academic differences about taxonomy from confusing conservation action, NatureServe maintains a central database of consensus "standard" taxa and their associated names for use by its members, partner organizations, and others.

Created in the 1970's, the NatureServe databases now maintain current taxonomic information for approximately 25,000 animal species and subspecies, as well as associated "higher" taxonomic information currently class, order, and family. Each local natural heritage program uses a subset of the central taxonomic list that corresponds to the animals that occur in its jurisdiction.

NatureServe zoology staff establish definitions for standard taxa (species or subspecies) and their associated scientific (and often common) names for every animal group in the central databases. Local natural heritage programs sometimes need to use alternative nomenclature for some taxa. For example, to be compatible with species lists used by their parent organization or other agencies in their jurisdiction. Zoologists maintaining both central and local databases enter explanatory and historical notes on species whose taxonomic status is controversial, uncertain, or has been modified recently, as well as the author and reference citation of the scientific name source.

The standard taxa and associated names of vertebrate and invertebrate animals are mostly obtained from references that represent consensus standards for researchers working on a given taxonomic group. However, sometimes these lists are regional rather than global, sometimes there is not a single consensus list, and sometimes major references are infrequently updated (e.g., only every 10 years for the ASC and AFS lists). For these reasons and because taxonomy is a dynamic area of investigation, NatureServe zoologists review numerous journals and monographs each year for taxonomic and nomenclatural changes, and often accept taxonomic and nomenclatural changes before the major source(s) for a group is updated to reflect these changes. In all situations, the central zoologists attempt to recognize taxa and names that represent consensus opinion among researchers working in a particular group. In addition, these zoologists may keep track of taxa of conservation concern for which a name has not yet been published (e.g., as sp. x), usually at the request of an individual program or researcher, or because of its inclusion on a government list.

Major References for Vertebrate and Invertebrate Names and Taxonomy Used for Animals in the NatureServe Central Databases (August 2002)

Higher Taxonomy

Phyla:

Subphyla:

Phylum Craniata (Vertebrates)

Class Mammalia (Mammals)

Class Aves (Birds)

Class Reptilia (Reptiles)

Class Amphibia (Amphibians)

Classes Osteichthyes, Cephalaspidomorphi, Elasmobranchiomorphi, Myxini (Fishes)

Freshwater Invertebrates (general)

Phylum Mollusca

Phylum Cnidaria

Phylum Ctenophora

Phylum Crustacea

Freshwater crustaceans other than those groups listed below:

Class Malacostrata, Order Decapoda (Crayfishes and other decapods)

Class Branchiopoda (e.g., Fairy, Clam, and Tadpole Shrimps)

Phylum Mandibulata (insects, centipedes, millipedes)

Groups not covered by other sources listed below:

Order Coleoptera, Family Cicindelidae (Tiger Beetles)

Order Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)

Order Hymenoptera, Superfamily Apoidea (Bees and Sphecoid Wasps), Apiformes (Bees)

Order Lepidoptera, Superfamilies Papilionoidea (True Butterflies) and Hesperioidea (Skippers)

Order Lepidoptera, Suborders Zeugloptera and Glossata (except two Superfamilies listed above [butterflies and skippers] and except certain sub-groups listed below):

Order Lepidoptera, Family Noctuidae, Genus Catocala (Underwing Moths)

Order Lepidoptera, Genus Papaipema (Papaipema Moths)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Order Orthoptera (grasshoppers, katydids, crickets)

Order Plecoptera (Stoneflies)

Order Trichoptera (Caddisflies)