Flagger | Content Author | Content | Reason | Flag Created | Resolved by | Resolution |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bouteloua | Genus Cotesia |
complex for Cotesia congregata? |
Feb. 25, 2020 14:26:27 +0000 | bdagley |
added |
I am not familiar with this group and haven't looked into it, but noting the relevant section of the curator guide:
Species Complexes
As of January 2019, "complex", a taxonomic rank between genus and species, may be used (more specifically, between subsection and species). Species sometimes intergrade and there are places on the tree of life where adding hard range map boundaries is arbitrary and/or identification to species level is often not possible. Species complex should be used sparingly (only when necessary and helpful) and with the following criteria:Species complex is monophyletic (i.e. sibling groups of species)
Complex is recognized in the literature
A named subgenus, section, or series does not already exist for the group
If a name is not established in the literature, use the earliest published species name for the name of the complex
Don't use compound names, such as Pantherophis alleghaniensis-spiloides, as there may be numerous species in the group
https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/curator+guide#complexes
Also, if you vote "no, it's as good as it can be" in the Data Quality Assessment section, a genus-IDed observation will become Research Grade once there are 2 IDs
@bouteloua I edited my earlier comment to include another imprecise designation.
Also White Butterfly Parasite Wasp (Cotesia glomerata) needs to be turned into a complex. Fewer species are involved but still this designation is used to represent multiple lesser known species.
copying comment from @botanicaltreasures