Recommendations for Taxonomic Submissions to Hydrobiologia

Abstract

Morphological taxonomy is a critical component of all aspects of aquatic biology. Hydrobiologia receives many manuscripts that focus on descriptions of new species of aquatic organisms. We offer suggestions for how these papers can better conform to the stated aims and scope of Hydrobiologia, which read, in part: ‘Hydrobiologia publishes original articles of interest to a broad and international audience. Purely descriptive work will be considered if it is firmly embedded in a larger biological framework’. In our opinion, taxonomic studies that classify new species are more likely to meet these aims if they state the species concept being used, and include additional experimental, analytical or conceptual analyses. For example, we recommend that studies that use morphological taxonomy also include independent tests of species boundaries, such as multivariate analyses, molecular genetic analyses, and/or tests of reproductive isolation. Given the constraints under which many taxonomists operate, collaboration might be the most effective strategy for achieving these goals.