New Species Descriptions

title

“A new species or butterfly ray (Chondrichthyes: Gymnuridae) from the Gulf of Mexico”

Authors

authors

Abstract

a brief summary, usually one paragraph, of the species description

Introduction

provides some introductory information, often about the group, or the area the new species was collected from

if a separate _____ section doesn’t follow the introduction, the introduction many include methodological information

methods

species name, figure(s), reference(s)

• the new species name is usually centered with a “n. sp.” (or “new species”) after the name to indicate it is a new species

• references to figures illustrating the new species are provided

Figures

• at least one figure of the entire organism, either a photograph or a line drawing (or both)

• fishes are generally presented looking to the left

Holotype

• information on the holotype, such as a museum collection number, size, sex, collection info, etc.

• this is the single specimen that will represent this new species, for posterity

• deposited in a museum collection

Paratype

• information provided as above, but for the paratypes (if there are any)

• paratypes are additional specimen on which the new species description is based

Diagnosis

• in a paragraph form, presents the diagnostic characteristics

• the most distinctive ones, the ones that make species different from other, similar species

meristic

counts

morphometric

measurements

for meristic and morphometric information…

• tables may display the values for the holotype and the paratypes, in addition to their presentation in the body of the text

• sometimes other species are also listed in the table(s) if they are compared to the new species

Description

in paragraph form, presents and describes other characteristics used in defining or describing the species

• morphological, morphometric, merisitic, etc.

Coloration

• a description of the coloration in life and/or in preservative

• typically, specimens are fixed in 10% formalin and stored in 70% ethanol

• this section is not always included because this information is sometimes presented in the description

Etymology

• explains the derivation of the name of the new species

  • the specific epithet (the “species” name)

  • if the new species is also a new genus, the derivation of the name of the new genus is also included

what are the rules for naming a species?

• can’t name it after yourself

• name is Latinized and is consistent grammatically with the name

• can essentially name the species whatever you want

Remarks

describes things like habitat and other ecological characteristics, geographical distribution, presumed evolutionary relationships of the new species and related species, differences between the new species and similar sympatric species

what are other names for the “remarks” section

ecology and/or relationships

Acknowledgements

thanks people and institutions who provided personal or financial assistance, etc.

Literature Cited

list all literature cited in the text