Overcoming The Taxonomic Impediment: An Action Plan For India

Abstract

Insect taxonomy in India has been on a terminal decline and the unknown and undocumented insects of India face the threat of extinction before they are formally described due to climate change, habitat destruction and other anthropogenic factors. Ways to overcome the so called ‘Taxonomic impediment’, loosely defined as the lack of experts and funds and other resources for taxonomic research, are briefly discussed in the Indian context. A combination of concise morphological descriptions, high resolution digital imaging and open access web publishing with at least minimum molecular characterization (COI sequences) appears to be an ideal way to promote fast track documentation of Indian insects. Needless to add, increased funding and opportunities for insect taxonomy is the foremost requirement to further the cause of insect taxonomy in India. For this, insect taxonomic services should be recognized as a major input in agricultural pest management technology by ICAR and state agricultural universities.