Third NAWQA Diatom Taxonomy Harmonization Workshop
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Third NAWQA Diatom Taxonomy Harmonization Workshop Report No. 00-8 The Patrick Center for Environmental Research and Michigan State University held 1-3 May 2000 at The Academy of Natural Sciences 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19103-1195 Prepared by Eduardo A. Morales and Marina Potapova June 1, 2000 INTRODUCTION The Third NAWQA Workshop on Harmonization of Algal Taxonomy was held at The Academy of Natural Sciences on 1-3 May 2000. Dr. R.J. Stevenson and Kalina Manoylova of Michigan State University; Dr. Donald F. Charles, Frank Acker, Todd A. Clason, Patrick Cotter, Candia Knowles, Kalina Manoylova, Lont Marr, Eduardo A. Morales, Marina Potapova, and Dr. Charles W. Reimer of The Academy of Natural Sciences’ Patrick Center for Environmental Research; and William R. Cody, a private consultant based in the State of Ohio, participated in the workshop. The primary purpose of the workshop was to develop and agree on nomenclature to use when analyzing NAWQA 1997-start algae samples, collected in 1999-2001. Other objectives are summarized in the attached list of Agenda items (Appendix 1). Results of discussion of these other items are reported in separate memos and are not included here. The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program concentrates on the study of nearly 60 major watersheds in the United States. Each of these watersheds is called a Study Unit (SU). Approximately 15 to 20 SUs are investigated at a time. To date, three sets of SUs, or "starts," have been collected: the 1991, 1994, and 1997-starts. Algal samples from each SU are collected over a three-year period, usually beginning after two years of planning and site selection. For various reasons, different taxonomic systems were used for analysis of diatoms from the 1991 and 1994-start samples. Now that we are ready to begin analysis of 1997-start samples (collected in 1999-2001), the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANS) has decided to review names of all diatom taxa found in NAWQA samples to update them, following the philosophy and criteria described below. These names will be used by all NAWQA diatom analysts for the1997-start samples. The list will be reviewed again in three years, and updated before beginning analysis of the 2000-start samples. CRITERIA FOR ADOPTING NEW NAMES The philosophy of workshop participants was that taxonomic names used for 1997-start samples should reflect recent taxonomic trends, but that changes from names used previously should be made conservatively. The majority of new taxonomic names proposed in the literature pertain to the genus level. All the genera considered during the workshop come from the splitting of more broadly circumscribed genera. Some changes at the species and variety levels were also made. Four main criteria were used in deciding whether to adopt a new name for the 1997-start list. 1. Is the proposed transfer a good one? Workshop participants considered whether the rationale and justification for revised nomenclature were sound and supportable. They also evaluated whether descriptions of new taxa were sufficiently supported by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and/or ecological evidence. THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 2 PATRICK CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2. Is the new taxon generally accepted? Participants relied on the frequency with which the new taxon was used in recent ecological and/or taxonomic literature. In some cases, arguments have been published against the adoption of a particular taxon. These perspectives were explored carefully and a decision was made as to which argument was more persuasive based on morphology, phylogeny, and ecology. 3. Can the new taxon be recognized using LM? This is a practical issue since our analyses are performed primarily with the light microscope. Workshop participants only adopted taxa that could be recognized during routine identification procedures. 4. In the case of new genera, have most species found in NAWQA samples been transferred to the new genus? In some cases, the new genus seems to be well defined, but the majority of species that clearly belongs in this genus have not been validly transferred. In this circumstance, workshop participants decided not to use the proposed transfer for analysis of 1997-start samples. PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATING NAMES Prior to the workshop, Patrick Cotter and Lont Marr prepared a MS ACCESS database table of all taxa that had been found in NAWQA samples along with columns for adding proposed nomenclature changes and comments. Lont Marr forwarded this list to workshop participants, assigning specific groups of genera to individual analysts for close review. All alternative names and comments noted by analysts were compiled and sent back to workshop participants for review one week before the workshop. During the workshop, participants went through the list and rated the proposed transfers as described below. The list was reviewed twice, first to assign all new names to one of the three categories below, and a second time to reassign taxa placed in category 2 into a final rating of 1 or 3. The list ultimately records the consensus of the participants as to whether or not to adopt proposed changes for the 1997-start taxa list. 1. Name will be adopted for the 1997-start taxa list. The new name seems scientifically sound and meets the criteria described above. 2. New taxa that participants were not fully familiar with and which required further investigation. After significant discussion and review of publications, it was decided either to accept the new name (in which case the new taxon was changed from "2" to "1") or reject the name (in which case the new taxon was changed from a“2” to a "3", see next). 3. Name will not be adopted for the 1997-start taxa list. New taxa that did not meet the criteria described above. THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 3 PATRICK CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH WORKSHOP OUTCOME The primary outcome of the workshop is a list of 1994-start taxa names, the taxonomic names that some will be changed to for the 1997-start sample analysis, and the rationale for the changes (Appendices 2 and 3). Appendix 2 contains four columns. The first lists the 1994-start taxa; the official list of all names used for 1994-start samples. The second column contains new names that have been proposed for taxa in the 1994-start list (first column). The third column (labeled “category”) contains the final number assigned to each new taxon (1 or 3, see above). Finally, a fourth column lists bibliographical references for the description of new genera and transfer of species. The rationale for including or excluding a new name in the 1997-start list is described in Appendix 3. Appendix 2 was compiled mainly by Todd A. Clason, Marina Potapova and Eduardo A. Morales. Analysts involved in discussions during this part of the workshop were Todd A. Clason, William R. Cody, Kalina Manoylova, Lont Marr, Eduardo A. Morales, Marina Potapova, and with intermittent advice from R.J. Stevenson and Charles W. Reimer. Workshop participants agreed to send this list to at least two diatom taxonomy specialists for review and comment. In addition to the list mentioned above, we also discussed specific issues concerning the accuracy of some names used for 1991-start counts. Marina Potapova had examined 1991 count data prior to the workshop and concluded that some names had been misapplied or were confusing. Participants reviewed each taxonomic issue in detail using the Academy's image database, photographs of NAWQA specimens, various materials from the Diatom Herbarium, and the help of C.W. Reimer. Dr. Potapova incorporated results of these deliberations into Appendix 3. Eduardo Morales also presented LM and SEM photographs from his dissertation based on material from Connecticut (USA) freshwater lakes. This latter resource was used to help clarify taxonomy in the genus Fragilaria sensu lato. THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 4 PATRICK CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH APPENDIX 1 Third NAWQA Workshop on Harmonization of Algal Taxonomy Patrick Center for Environmental Research The Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, PA 1-3 May 2000 Participants: Donald F. Charles, R. Jan Stevenson, Frank Acker, Todd A. Clason, William R. Cody, Patrick Cotter, Candia Knowles, Kalina Manoylova, Lont Marr, Eduardo A. Morales, Marina Potapova, Charles W. Reimer Workshop Goals Agree on 1997-Start diatom names; develop plan for review of list Clarify identification / nomenclature of selected diatom taxa Work on taxonomic issues - difficult and unknown taxa Review and discuss soft-algae taxonomic issues Plan future taxonomic workshops Review and agree on QA / QC procedures for 1997-start samples Review use of ANSP Algae Image Database and plan future development Review use of Diatom Tabulator program; make sure it works for all users Agree on procedures for transfer of data from MSU to ANSP Develop procedure for creating combined dataset of algal dimension measurements Develop procedure for stratified counting of larger aggregations in soft-algae counts Review sample analysis schedules Plan preparation of report on the workshop, including 1997/1994 correspondence list THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 5 PATRICK CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH Some Recent Accomplishments Analysis of all 1998 samples complete Algae results included in Summary Reports; metrics based on 1994-Start data Algae Image Database created; most images now added; improvements ongoing Tabulator program being used by all diatom analysts