This is a short talk showing how the rules of nomenclature make the names of animals unstable and therefore may endanger the animals conservation.

1. Requirements Gathering - GUIDs For TAXA?
European Water Vole

2. Requirements Gathering - GUIDs For TAXA?
European Water Vole
Arvicola terrestris

3. Requirements Gathering - GUIDs For TAXA?
European Water Vole
Arvicola terrestris
Arvicola amphibius

4. Requirements Gathering - GUIDs For TAXA?
European Water Vole
Arvicola terrestris
Arvicola amphibius
Arvicola terrestris amphibius

5. Requirements Gathering - GUIDs For TAXA?
European Water Vole
Arvicola terrestris
Arvicola amphibius
Arvicola terrestris amphibius
Ratty
The Water Rat
“The Wind in the Willows” Kenneth Grahame

6. 1758 Linnaeus
Published two species
on the same page.

7. 1758 Linnaeus
Published two species Modern Times
on the same page. recognised as the
same species
and A. terrestris used
as name

8. 1758 Linnaeus
Published two species Modern Times
on the same page. recognised as the
same species
and A. terrestris used
as name
2005 Musser & Calton
Found new ‘first reviser’

9. 1758 Linnaeus
Published two species Modern Times
on the same page. recognised as the
same species
and A. terrestris used
as name
2005 Musser & Calton
Found new ‘first reviser’
Name should be
A. amphibius

10. 1758 Linnaeus
Published two species Modern Times
on the same page. recognised as the
same species
and A. terrestris used
as name
2005 Musser & Calton
Found new ‘first reviser’
Name should be
A. amphibius
20** ??
Find new ‘first reviser’

19. It does matter what you call it.
The names are not interchangeable.
∴ You can’t treat all these resources
as if they were labelled A. amphibius

20. It does matter what you call it.
The names are not interchangeable.
∴ You can’t treat all these resources
as if they were labelled A. amphibius
or

21. It does matter what you call it.
The names are not interchangeable.
∴ You can’t treat all these resources
as if they were labelled A. amphibius
or
It does NOT matter what you call it.
You can treat them as all A. amphibius
∴ There is no point in changing the name

22. “You can’t have your cake and eat it”

23. Conclusion

24. Conclusion
A name isn’t a stable identifier

25. Conclusion
A name isn’t a stable identifier
Some rules of nomenclature guarantee instability

26. Conclusion
A name isn’t a stable identifier
Some rules of nomenclature guarantee instability
Community needs a stable identifier separate from
the name or names should be frozen.

27. Conclusion
A name isn’t a stable identifier
Some rules of nomenclature guarantee instability
Community needs a stable identifier separate from
the name or names should be frozen.
We need to know the characteristics for this
identifier i.e. what ‘they’ (non-taxonomists) need

28. Conclusion
A name isn’t a stable identifier
Some rules of nomenclature guarantee instability
Community needs a stable identifier separate from
the name or names should be frozen.
We need to know the characteristics for this
identifier i.e. what ‘they’ (non-taxonomists) need
This example is separate from taxonomic changes!