[Zoobank-list] Re: Yanega Scenario

[Richard Pyle]

Hi Kevin,

> In response to Dr. Pyle’s comment that publications decoupled
> from ZooBank would
> not fulfill the Code’s requirements, would it be possible to form
> partnerships
> with journals, museums and natural history societies that would make their
> taxonomic work available on ZooBank’s website in some form.

I'm not completely sure I follow.  My idea (as expressed in the post just
now sent to this list) is that ICZN requirements for nomenclatural
availability would not be determined by information contained in
publications, but rather, the registration process would itself include the
minimum amount of information necessary (under the current Code) to
establish availability.  As I described, I believe that scientific
descriptions would continue to be written, submitted, reviewed, and
published exactly as they are now, with exactly the same information
content.  The only difference is that the technicalities of ICZN
nomenclatural availability would not be contingent upon such publications.

That said, I would FULLY endorse the idea of encouraging
journals/societies/etc (but probably most directly: authors) to index their
taxonomic published works on the ZooBank website, cross-referenced to the
database records of the names that are mentioned or described within those
publications -- even if technicalities of nomenclatural availability would
not depend on the existence of such publications.

> There
> could be a
> stipulation, if need be, such as posting to the website after 3
> or 6 months etc. of publication.
>
> Additionally, ZooBank’s role might be just as well served
> as a repository of abstracts and easily searchable keywords that
> would make it
> easier for anyone to find the citations they need. This would complement
> Scenario 1 and highlight journals given the shoulder by web of
> science type
> search engines that seem to highlight major journals with
> citation indexes.

Most of what you describe above is indeed intended to be implemented in the
context of Scenario 1, I believe.

Aloha,
Rich

Richard L. Pyle, PhD
Ichthyology, Bishop Museum
1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817
Ph: (808)848-4115, Fax: (808)847-8252
email: deepreef at bishopmuseum.org
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/staff/pylerichard.html