Why Most New Species Are Discovered By Amateurs

Most new species are discovered by amateurs because nowadays non-professionals are actually better suited to the requirements of new species “discovery.”

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To learn more about this topic, start your googling with these keywords:
Taxonomy: The branch of science concerned with classifying organisms
Taxonomic Impediment: The gaps in our taxonomic knowledge and the shortage of trained taxonomists and curators.
Amateur Taxonomist: Someone who classifies organisms but is not paid to do so.
Malacology: The study of mollusks, including snails and slugs.
Type Specimen: The specimen used to officially describe a new species.

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Nathaniel Schroeder | Music

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REFERENCES
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[dysonkennedy]

Many of the heartwarming stories in the modern world are bad temporary solutions to systemic problems. It's ridiculous that academic pressures have gone so far that professional academics in biology and taxonomy are not able to put the work in to discover species. I'm glad amateurs are helping and that there is exchange of information with experts in seemingly unrelated but useful fields like with bait and tackle but this is a flaw in the system.

[ameliadurbec]

I want to point out how bad the state of research is if we have to rely on amateurs to do our jobs. I think it's great that some people do that on their free-time, but it shouldn't be the norm and they should get money for their work (aka. be a professional scientist).
But there is not enough money, a lot of us are just looking for fundings just to have a job next year (on top of research and teachings).

[beast_boy]

When scientists can't even do their jobs because of budget constraints...gotta love our society!

[UnPuntoCircular]

Can we take a second to appreciate Arcadi's beautiful illustrations? And not only that, the references are sick!

[wamsang]

Someone: *discovers a new species*
Everyone else: *ameteurs*

[scotthendricks]

Sounds like a dystopian future repackaged as a feel good story.

[RockiesSweden]

I'd gander it's largely because there are a lot more amateurs than scientists.

[SRFriso]

Ah, the wisdom of the crowd. Same reason NASA is perfectly happy to share all of its raw data with the public for free.

[fakexzvo]

I can confirm this. I, an amateur, have discovered a new species- my younger brother

[Sebbekss]

Maybe saying "new species" so many times is a bit misleading rather than "newly discovered species", but really interesting topic!

[arandomhewo]

Woah! A bus driver revived Omanyte and Omastar?! Cool!

[conejitorosada]

The first person discovering a new Species be like: *Ugh, I'm surrounded by idiots*

[rebelcommanderstarwarsjur]

It’s kinda sad scientists should be the ones discovering new species but we have built a society where that can’t be done

[smurfyday]

It's great that amateurs are doing this, but is there something wrong with an academic/scientific system where professionals can't do this kind of work?

[norsehorse]

I love the Beautifly vs Butterfree references :3

[Xaelum]

Arcadi's animations are just the best. They're so colorful and full of easter eggs!

[nosegrindv]

masters student = " Official Grant Proposal Ghost Writer"

[nathanadler]

0:47 i saw a pokemon reference and it made me smile :)

[DyslexicMitochondria]

A guy is sitting at home when he hears a knock at the door. He opens the door and sees a snail on the porch. He picks up the snail and throws it as far as he can. Three years later, there’s a knock on the door. He opens it and sees the same snail. The snail says "What the hell was that all about?"

[downsidebrian]

Hey, can we all remember that the word, "amateur" comes from the Latin word "amare, " meaning "to love?" An amateur is not a bad thing to be.