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An introduction to y T. C. NARENDRAN An Introduction to TAXONOMY T. C. NARENDRAN Professor & Head of the Department of Zoology (Retired), University of Calicut, Kera/a - 673 635, India. Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata AICOPTAX Zoological Survey of India Kolkata CITATION Narendran, T.C. 2006. An Introduction to Taxonomy : 1-80 (Published by the Director, Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata) 1 st Published : March, 2006 Reprinted· : June, ·2009 ISBN 978-81-8171-218-9. © Govt. of India, 2006 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • No port· of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, reco(c;fing or: otherwise without the prior permission of the pubUsher. • This book is sold subiect to the condition that it sholl not, by way of trade, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise disposed of without the publisher's consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published. • The correct price of this publication is the price printed on this page. Any revised price indicated by a rubber stamp or by a sticker or by any other means is incorrect and should be unacceptable. PRICE India: Rs. 100.00 Foreign: $ 5; £ 3 Published at the AICOPT AX Centre (Mollusca) by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, 234/4, A.J.C. Bose Road, 2nd MSO Building, Kolk~ta - 700020 and funded by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India. Printed at Calcutta Repro Graphics, Kolkata - 700 006. FOREWORD TO THE 2ND EDITION Zoological Survey of India, Govt. of India, published the book 'An Introduction to Taxonomy', authored by Prof. T C. Narendran, in 2006. The book proved its merit as a handy volume explaining in brief the essence of the science of taxonomy, and today no other book of its kind commands such a rising tide of demand. The book was so well received by the taxonomic workers in the country that all the copies were sold out very quickly, making it an instant success. The growing readership of the book is a reflection of the positive dttitude of the poeple in the field of biology towards the study of taxonomy and systematics, recognizing its contemporary significance in the scientific inventoryinwdocumenting the biodiversity wealth. A realization to that notion needs to be spread to a larger segment of the people, especially the young and educated generation, in the country. Zoological Survey of India strives for making it a reality through the publication of such user-friendly scientific and popular volumeslhandbooks, such as 'An Introduction to Taxonomy', which is one of the prime mottos of this institution. In this context, Zoological Survey of India finds it very relevant to bring out the reprint of the publication so as to keep pace with its demand and usefulness in the study of taxonomy. Kolkata Dr. Ramakrishna June, 2009 Director Zoological Survey of India FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION The merit of a discipline is recognized by the benefits it renders in a crisis. With the ever increasing human interference over biosphere, we are heading towards such a crisis of losing our valuable biodiversity at a rapid and an alarming rate. The international community of policy makes and scientists has now acknowledged that the loss of biodiversity has serious economic and social costs. In the Convention on Biodiversity of 1992 and later in several new global agreements, the message of conservation and sustainable use of biodivesity has been on the prime agenda. The sole reference system for Biodiversity interpretation is catered by the science of Taxonomy. Thus species, the basic unit in any taxonomic hierarchy is the lone versatile currency to recognize and characterize the enormous biodiversity on our planet. A strong basework in taxonomy of diverse groups is the only way to address the multidimensional challenges underlying the issues of biodiversity conservation. Though the mammoth task of characterizing the 10 to 13 million species on Earth is already initiated by the global taxonomic community, the fact that the number of active field systematists and taxonomists are very limited has emerged as a serious impediment to the progress of the initiative. The discipline of taxonomy has often been much neglected and has been lacking the deserving distinction, while allied fields claim the applause, through contributions made by taxonomists. It is unfortunate that taxonomy is yet to gain a place among popular· disciplines. Till date, there has been only very few Indian publications dealing with the science of taxonomy. In this regard, a publication, elaborating in an efficient, yet, simplified manner, on the subject is indeed not only a much welcome venture, but also a needed one. Prof. Narendran, the author of this book, is the winner of the prestigious 'E. K. Janaki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy' for the year 2004. With more than 250 research publications, he has been an important contributor to the description of India's faunal biodiversity. Currently he is a member of committee for Collaborative Research of National Biodiversity Authority. This book 'An Introduction to Taxonomy' will enlighten the students, researchers and the scientific community, on the various taxonomic issues, principles, practices and methodology. The volume also substantiates the relevance of taxonomy in different arenas on the forefront of international concern, like biodiversity conservation and Integrated Pest management. The book equips the reader with a thorough understanding on the subject, also kindles curiosity and interest, vital to shaping of fresh, promising talents in the field. I am extremely happy to note that this publication has been brought out by the co-ordinator, AICOPTAX-Mollusca, Zoological Survey of India funded by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Thanks are due to Sri Rat; Ram Verma, Publication Production Officer, Zoological Survey of India, for bringing out the publication in a record time. March, 2006 J.R.B. Alfred Kolkata Director Zoological Survey of India CONTENTS IN.TRODUCTION ................................................. ............................................................. 1 CHAPTER 1 - TAXONOMY AND ITS IMPORTANCE ...................................................... 3 1. Importance of Taxonomy in Biodiversity and Conservation .................................... 3 2. Importance of Taxonomy in Research and Studies ................................................. 3 3. Importance of Taxonomy in Medicine ............................... , ............................... : .... 4 4. Importance of Taxonomy in Agriculture and Pest Management .............................. 4 S. Identification of the pest ......................................................, ................................... 5 6. Identification of natural enemies ....................................... : ..................................... 5 7. Detection of culture contamination ......................................................................... 6 8. Misidentification of Efficient Natural Enemy ........................................................... 6 9. Importance of taxonomic collections in Pest Management ........ : ............................ 6 10. Importance of taxonomic literature in Pest Management ......................................... 7 11. Importance of Taxonomy in Quarantine ...................................................... : ......... 7 12. Importance of Taxonomy in National Defense ........................................................ 7 13. Importance of Taxonomy in Fisheries ..................................................................... 8 14. Importance of Taxonomy in Parasitology and Veterinary Science ........................ 8 1S. Importance of Taxonomy in conservation of Plants and Animals ........................... 8 CHAPTER 2 - TAXONOMIC IMPEDIMENTS AND PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME ........... 9 Introduction ................................................................ ,....... ~ .. ~ ..................................... 9 Impediments for building up taxonomic collections and its maintenance .................. 9 Shortage of manpower .............................................................................................. 10 Lack of funding for taxonomic research .................................. ~ ................................. '10 Lack of training in taxonomy .................................................................................... 11 Lack of library facilities ............................................................................................ 11 Impediments in publishing taxonomic work............................... ............................... 11 International cooperation ........................................................ ;............. ...................... 12 Development of taxonomic centres ........................................................................... 12 Need for efficient international networki~g ............................................................... 13 Taxasphere and i nventoryi ng ..................................................................................... 13 The Desired End Product .......................................................................................... 14 (viii) CHAPTER 3 TAXONOMIC COLLECTIONS AND COLLECTING ................................. 16 Methods of Collection ............................................................................................... 16 Labell i