Dear Friends,
I recently received the 6th edition of the Clements Checklist. While I
appreciate the updating of species and subspecies, I still consider this
volume inferior to Dickinson?s 3rd edition of the Howard and Moore
Checklist, at least in two ways.
1) It does not list the authors and dates of species or subspecies. I
consider this essential for any checklist for any readers interested in
taxonomy and nomenclature.
2) It does not refer to the sources in which one can find the basis of
decisions. For example, if we look at the 6th ediiton, we find that Lava
Heron Butorides sundevalli has been lumped with Striated Heron B.striatus.
Where is the basis for this decision? I have been unable to find it. I
went to the SACC Checklist proposals page, and found that the proposal from
Van Remsen to split B.sundevalli for B.striatus did not pass, despite the
fact that five members of the Committee voted for the proposal and four
against.
In contrast, Dickinson cites author?s names and years, and in footnotes
refers one to where the basis of decisions can be found.
I?m interested in any comments.
John Penhallurick
86 Bingley Crescent
FRASER, A.C.T. 2615
AUSTRALIA
S 35° 11' 40.2"
E 149° 03' 26.2"
Home Telephone: (61 2) 6258 5428
Mobile 0408 585428
Please visit my website http://worldbirdinfo.net <http://worldbirdinfo.net/>
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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