> There is reasonable agreement among taxonomists that a species should represent a distinct evolutionary lineage. But there is none about how a lineage should be defined. 'Species' are often created or dismissed arbitrarily, according to the individual taxonomist's adherence to one of at least 30 definitions [2]. Crucially, there is no global oversight of taxonomic decisions — researchers can 'split or lump' species with no consideration of the consequences.
The referenced book Species Concepts in Biology [2] by Frank E. Zachos looks like an interesting source on this topic. In computer science we know that naming things is hard; slotting things into hierarchical categories is hard too.
Safari hunters currently achieve the 'spiral horned grand slam' by killing just nine types of antelope. Recent developments in taxonomy could see them wanting to kill 25, and targeting smaller populations to do so.
The referenced book Species Concepts in Biology [2] by Frank E. Zachos looks like an interesting source on this topic. In computer science we know that naming things is hard; slotting things into hierarchical categories is hard too.
[2] https://www.hugendubel.info/annotstream/2244011436320/PDF/Za...