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path to establishing a new species isn’t
over yet. A photograph, no matter how
detailed, will not suffice. The time-
honored (and time-consuming) process
of describing and naming a species
requires an exhaustive examination of
the anatomical features of an in-hand
specimen by a taxonomic specialist.
The specialist must compare his
litany of minute findings with all
previous literature dealing with known
members of the family. This work is
then presented with charts, graphs
and drawings as a comprehensive
manuscript that undergoes much fuss
and scrutiny from a panel of peers before
finally receiving approval for publication
in a scientific journal.
Kuiter’s message ends with a
request: If a specimen can be made
available, his colleague, Martin
Gomon, senior curator (ichthyology)
at Museum Victoria, would be
willing to tackle the descriptive
work. One year later, in October
2007, “A new genus and miniature
species of pipehorse (Syngnathidae)
from Indonesia” appears in aqua:
International Journal of Ichthyology
— another addendum to the catalog
of life, realized with the help of
divers. And, adding an additional
plum to the pudding, critter hunters
have a splendid new animal to keep
an eye cocked for — Kyonemichthys
rumengani. The genus name,
meaning “swollen thread” in Greek,
is quite appropriate; the species
name, even more fitting, honors
Noldy Rumengan.
AD
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