What level taxa to protect?

[Chris J. Durden]

>Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2000 01:37:12 -0600
>To: Bruce  Walsh <jbwalsh at u.arizona.edu>
>From: "Chris J. Durden" <drdn at mail.utexas.edu>
>Subject: Re: What level taxa to protect?
>In-Reply-To: <200001072140.OAA50172 at trifid.u.arizona.edu>
>
>At 02:43  7/01/00 -0700, you wrote:
>
>. . .
>>While it is clear that a distinct species is fine to list, and even a
>>distinct subspecies, what criteria should be used for deciding whether to
>>list a population?   There are certainly a lot of bad subspecies and a
lot of
>>very good species that we do not at all recognize as such.  What criteria
>>should we use for deciding that a population is sufficiently distinct for
>>listing?
>>
>>I have some thoughts on this issue, but which to hear others.
>>
>>Peace
>>
>>Bruce
>>
>Wow, watch out - this one combines 3 very sticky topics. 1) politics, the
legislation of scientific inquiry, 2) science and sex, the species concept,
3) religion, whether bugs have souls and need equal protection. Watch the
fur, feathers and fins fly on this one!
>.......Chris Durden
>