Are the major fish faunas well-known?
In: Netherlands Journal of Zoology. E.J. Brill: Leiden. ISSN 0028-2960; e-ISSN 1568-542X, more
Also appears in:Osse, J.W.M.; Hollingworth, C.E. (Ed.) (1992). The Threatened World of Fish: Proceedings of the 7th International Ichthyology Congress, The Hague (The Netherlands), August 26-30, 1991. Netherlands Journal of Zoology, 42(2-3). E.J. Brill: Leiden. 524 pp., more
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| Abstract |
The world's major fish faunas, and most of its smaller ones as well, are by no means well-known, either taxonomically or with regard to the biology of their component species. Apart from the verry large number of fish species (20,000-27,000) and the difficulties for study posed by the medium in which they live, there are several other reasons for that state of affairs.An obvious and universal reason is the shortage of monney available for fundamental research, and consequently a shortage of research workers. In the fields of taxomony and systematics, both basic and essential disciplines in the study and interpretation of biodiversity, that shortage is axacerbated by other and supposedly more exiting and glamorous disciplines attracting students and teachers (and funds!) The biology of species is poorly known, if at all, and even for those fishes of economic importance it is often biased towards particular and pragmatic ends.Fishes, no less than other organisms, are threatened by numerous human activities and by-products, but because fishes are less obvious than terrestrial life they are often overlooked, as is their role in global ecology. There is an urgent need to change that situation and to ensure that we have the information to effect their conversation. |
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