Tag Archives: taxonomy

Pointing and Pinning Block v6

Posted on 21 September 2021 by David Maddison

I’ve finally revised the 3D design of pointing and pinning block mentioned in my previous post. This new version of the block has the standard holes of a pinning block (in the center of each level) as well as holes … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Morphological Techniques | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The legacy of a taxonomist

Posted on 9 February 2014 by David Maddison

I have recently been looking through the notes of Kenneth W. Cooper, a renaissance entomologist who wore many hats, one of which was as someone passionate about the same beetles I love, the genus Bembidion.  Kenneth and I began corresponding … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Taxonomic Process | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

It was fifty years ago today…

Posted on 18 October 2013 by David Maddison

Fifty years ago today, Carl Hildebrand Lindroth’s revision of the Bembidion of Canada and Alaska was published; this was part 3 of his opus on the ground beetles of Canada and Alaska. This work is the basis of all that … Continue reading →

Posted in Revising Bembidiina, Scientific Illustrations, Taxonomic Process | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Hiding in Plain Sight

Posted on 31 August 2013 by David Maddison

In most groups of organisms there are taxa that are very isolated phylogenetically, and are structurally so distinctive that they are easy to recognize (the Australian platypus and Welwitschia mirabilis come to mind).  Some of these isolated taxa are considered to … Continue reading →

Posted in Revising Bembidiina, Taxonomic Process | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Bembidion ulkei mystery: solved

Posted on 7 May 2013 by David Maddison

In an earlier post, I discussed the mystery of Bembidion ulkei.  Here’s a quick summary:  according to Lindroth’s (1963) study, Bembidion obscuripenne is a widespread species in the west,  from California north to Washington. In contrast, Lindroth knew B. ulkei only … Continue reading →

Posted in Revising Bembidiina, Taxonomic Process | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Naming species and the danger of good intentions

Posted on 3 February 2013 by David Maddison

It can be a bit of a challenge to come up with a meaningful name for a new beetle. I’m working on a paper or two in which I will be describing several new species of Bembidiina from North America.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Revising Bembidiina, Taxonomic Process | Tagged , | 2 Comments