Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2006 |
Authors: | Z. - Q. Zhang |
Journal: | Zootaxa |
Volume: | 1385 |
Pagination: | 67 - 68 |
Date Published: | 2005 |
Keywords: | Theory & Methodology |
Abstract: | We live in an era of elevated rates of extinction, yet about 90% of the Earth’s species of animals, plants and micro-organisms remain undescribed (Wilson, 2004). Although there are many journals that may publish taxonomic papers, it is increasingly difficult to publish papers on descriptive taxonomy in a timely and cost-effective manner. It is common for a taxonomist to wait for eight to ten months and sometimes years to get a paper published. And unless there is access to an institutional monograph series, it is even more difficult to publish a large taxonomic revision or monograph, not only because of costs, but the fact that most journals are of a fixed size and have limits on the length of papers. This impediment in publishing has a huge negative impact on taxonomy—the delay and difficulty in getting works published can discourage taxonomists who worked for years and unpublished works are a huge waste of talent and resources (often publicly funded). Large monographs are particularly important to the study of complex species-rich taxa, as taxonomy is about comparison, and closely related species must be compared together. Much needed is a rapid and efficient journal for descriptive papers and monographs in taxonomy. |
URL: | https://mapress.com/zootaxa/2006f/zt01385p068.pdf |
Editorial: The making of a mega-journal in taxonomy
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