Taxonomy in an age of transformation
The current issue of Nature celebrates the 300th anniversary of Linnaeus' birth with a collection of articles on the state of taxonomy "in an age of transformation." Definitely exciting times. I believe we are at the beginning of a revival of "amateur naturalists," biological hobbyists, and tinkerers who will challenge and transform how science is conducted today in the way that peer-to-peer networks and collaborative tools have transformed the music industry and world of information management. (via)
The legacy of Linnaeus p231
Taxonomy in an age of transformation.
doi:10.1038/446231b
Linnaeus at 300: We are family p247
Updating the tree of life needs both the skills of evolutionary biologists and the data from genome-crunchers — the two ignore each other at their peril. John Whitfield reports.
doi:10.1038/446247a
Linnaeus at 300: The species and the specious p250
For some, species are simply the things you save; but for taxonomists, the concept is much more complex. Emma Marris asks whether Linnaeus's legacy is cut out for conservation.
doi:10.1038/446250a
Linnaeus at 300: The big name hunters p253
Professional taxonomists often bristle at non-professionals who name new species without going through peer review. But are amateur naturalists really bad for science? Brendan Borrell reports.
doi:10.1038/446253a
Linnaeus at 300: The royal raccoon from Swedesboro p255
Although Linnaeus is best known for his botany and taxonomy, he was also an anatomist — and a keeper of pets. Henry Nicholls tells the story of Sjupp the raccoon.
doi:10.1038/446255a
