surrender

[Chris J. Durden]

I have yet to see a really good cline in more than one character even 
though some subspecies have been allegedly based on such clines. What I see 
in most species is a mosaic of habitat correlated multiple character modes. 
Each tile of the mosaic, I would recognize as a subspecies. If the 
characters of the beast are not clinal, if the edge can be located on a map 
at any particular time and if the character modality can be tied to a 
discrete habitat and biotic association I would advocate recognition as a 
subspecies. Where such subspecies overlap (except in situations of mutual 
dispersal) I would look very close for possible cryptic specific difference.
...........Chris Durden

At 09:15 AM 2/2/2001 -0900, you wrote:
>All,
>
>I do not wish subspecies to be abolished. I only ask for restraint. The
>law (Endangered Species Act) does not require the names, and if the
>variation is clinal it should be left alone _in my opinion_.
>
>So, I hereby give up. I apologize for my previous foment and I bid you
>good day.
>
>James J. Kruse, Ph.D.
>Curator of Entomology
>University of Alaska Museum



 
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