Responsible species description : a change of attitude is needed to facilitate and improve access to biological material

Abstract

It remains one of the primary responsibilities of taxonomists to describe and concomitantly disseminate information about the novelties they discover through their research efforts and associated herbarium and field work. However, given the present-day emphasis on benefit sharing concerning access to components of biodiversity, taxonomists should be much more circumspect when conducting field- and other work in foreign countries. It is imperative that project proposals submitted for consideration for support or funding take cognizance of the needs of taxonomists and biodiversity specialists in the countries in which fieldwork is to be conducted.