First NAWQA Diatom Taxonomy Harmonization Workshop

Transcription

1 First NAWQA Diatom Taxonomy Harmonization Workshop Report No The Patrick Center for Environmental Research and The University of Louisville, Kentucky held May 10-12, 1999 at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA Prepared by Todd A. Clason and Dr. Donald Charles May 1999

2 NAWQA Diatom Taxonomy Harmonization Workshop One of the greatest challenges facing large-scale bioassessment programs is the adoption of a unified taxonomic system for institutions generating biological data. Changing taxonomic concepts and limited synoptic literature often propagate multiple naming conventions for individual taxa. This problem can be remedied through regular and organized dialogue between primary taxonomists involved in biotic analysis. As part of the Patrick Center for Environmental Research (PCER) Phycology Section s cooperative agreement with the USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) program, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP) hosted a taxonomic workshop from May 1999 with scientists from the Patrick Center and The University of Louisville. These two institutions perform the majority of algal analysis for the NAWQA program. In attendance were senior scientists: Dr. Donald Charles (PCER) and Dr. Jan Stevenson (U of L); database and management experts: Pat Cotter (PCER), Frank Acker (PCER), Candia Knowles (PCER) and Dr. Roger Sweets (U of L); and taxonomic specialists: Todd Clason (PCER), Lont Marr (PCER) and Kalina Manoylova (U of L). The guiding principle of the workshop was to create a foundation of concepts and procedures to facilitate taxonomic harmonization between the two institutions. Toward this goal, lists of taxa in databases from both institutions were carefully matched so that taxon names, numbers and authorities corresponded correctly, a process that began several weeks before the workshop. After creating an initial list, both institutions added new names, modified existing names, and rectified errors. Multiple queries of both databases were required to identify discrepancies in names used for the same taxon. During the workshop, a list of 500 names and authorities was generated, representing all taxa at >1% abundance in NAWQA study units analyzed by the PCER and U of L. This compilation was examined in detail by taxonomists to facilitate data consistency between the two institutions. A protocol for future taxonomic conversations was also set, involving electronic image exchange and -based dialogue. Ideas for advanced taxonomic workshops for special taxonomic groups and issues were also discussed. The basis of the workshop was a list of common diatom taxa names used by U of L and the ANSP (see attached: Taxa Harmonization Table). These commonly observed taxa were discussed by analysts at both institutions and rated based on the degree of certainty associated with a literature-based concept. Diatoms with a high degree of certainty were rated with a 1 these taxa were well represented with images in the literature, and the analysts felt the correct

3 name was consistently used by both institutions. Taxa for which there was a conceptual consensus between analysts, but some question as to morphological variability or similarity with other taxa were rated with a 2. While the names for these taxa corresponded between the PCER and U of L, careful documentation was recommended to preserve consistency. Taxa were also rated with a 2 when one institution had not observed specimens and therefore had not carefully reviewed the pertinent literature. Unidentified diatoms with temporary designations and documentation were rated with a 3. Abundant taxa with a 3 rating may be the subject of future workshops. Similarly, diatoms were rated as 4 when analysts considered them problem taxa requiring detailed discussion. Types of problems included improper splitting or lumping categories, misused or invalid names, or simply taxa for which analysts disagree strongly on concept. In the future, the taxonomic notes field (Taxa Notes) will be used for analysts as a location to record synonymous naming conventions, literature transfers, and particular taxonomic characteristics, thereby facilitating problem resolution. Near the end of the workshop, analysts began exchanging images and observing specimens in the lab (Figs. 1 and 2). A number of problem or unknown taxa were discussed, and some taxonomic questions were resolved. This was also a venue to discuss efficient transfer of images and taxonomic information between institutions. Overall, the analysts agreed that their taxonomic concepts had been honed, and were readied for future problem solving. The 500 compiled taxa representing diatom species at an abundance >1%, including maximum abundance in counts by both institutions, a certainty rating of 1-4, and notes concerning particular taxonomic considerations was compiled by the ANSP and U of L (see attachment).

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