*) Lotzkat, S.; Hertz, A. & Köhler, G. (2012): A new species of Sibon (Squamata: Colubroidea: Dipsadidae) from the Cordillera Central of western Panama, with comments on other species of the genus in the area. -- Zootaxa, 3485: 26-40.
Lotzkat, S.; Hertz, A.; Bienentreu, J.-F. & Köhler, G. (2012): Distribution and variation of the giant alpha anoles (Squamata: Dactyloidae) of the genus Dactyloa in the highlands of western Panama, with the description of a new species formerly referred to as D. microtus. -- Zootaxa, 3626 (1): 001--054.
**) Lotzkat, S. (2012/2013): Wer bin ich -- und wenn ja, wie viele? (Science Slam presentation)
It is the nature of humans to organize complicated matters.
Biological systematics, for example,
Biological systematics, for example,
arrange something exceptionally complex, that is,
all known organisms:
in classes, families, and genera.
Its fundamental category is the species.
Every known species receives a binomial scientific name.
This is crucial
This is crucial
not only for scientists,
but also for conservationists and policy makers,
since it enables us to talk about certain organisms:
rare species,
endangered species,
and new discoveries...
But biological species are not merely artificial categories --
they are a biological reality,
the units of evolution.
the units of evolution
All members of a given species share a common ancestor and can only
reproduce among each other.
Moreover, they play their own particular role in nature.
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
...
In my PhD project I aim at clarifying which reptile species inhabit the
highlands of western Panama.
For twelve months, I have searched their moisture-dripping rainforests for
lizards and snakes, chiefly at night.
These species were documented and retained for the scientific community,
in order to verify the existence of a certain organism at a certain place.
Simply tweeting a photo from your iPhone does not suffice here.
Most importantly, it is often only the scrutiny of these specimens back at the
laboratory that reveals subtle peculiarities which can be overlooked in the
forest.
Sometimes it takes genetic analyses to determine that certain species were
misidentified at first --
or even differ from all known species.
In the latter case,
they are described as representatives of a new species,
the units of evolution
and the true labor only begins:
one more of the estimated 10 to 100 million pieces comprising the puzzle of
life
has to be distinguished unequivocally
and in writing from the two million known species of life.
This is crucial
This is crucial
unequivocally and in writing
As a reward for completing the work of species descriptions is the ability to
choose the second part of the species binomial nomenclature.
A cute snake is now known as Sibon noalamina, since it pertains to the genus
Sibon and inhabits the indigenous autonomy territory of the Ngöbe people.
The Ngöbe people use the slogan "¡No a la mina!" Spanish for "No to the
mine!" in their protests against ruthless mining companies,
protecting their lands from exploitation.
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
My latest new species discovery
is that of a beautiful lizard.
This creature has been confused with a similar species for 75 years.
Since it bears similarly enchanting blue eyes,
I named it after my fiancée.
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
¡No a la mina!
...
¡No!
¡No!
¡No!
credits
released June 18, 2014
Sebastian Lotzkat (research*, text**, ***, cover photo, various photos)
Achim G. Reisdorf (samples, executive producer)
Dr. Israel (voice)
Kurt Gluck (music, video, production)
Svevo Mariani (organ)
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