New genus of water mite described using confocal microscopy

A taxonomist in Spain identifies a new parasitic species using a novel method, and uses the occasion to take a swipe at a scientific establishment.

A new genus of water mite has been dubbed Vagabundia sci by Antonio Valdecasas, a taxonomist and researcher with the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (National Museum of Natural History) in Madrid, Spain. "Vagabundia" comes from the word "vagabond" and "sci" is a poke at the Science Citation Index (SCI), an international document database that Valdecasas claims has done an injustice to taxonomists through lack of journal citations for research completed in the taxonomy field.  “Before it can become part of history, I dedicate this species to this sociological tool, SCI, which has done more harm than good to the work of taxonomists and to the fundamental study of biodiversity,” said Valdecasas.

Vagabundia sci belongs to the subfamily Axonopsinae and was discovered in the Escondido River on Coiba Island, Panama.

Valdecasas is the first taxonomist to use confocal laser scanning microscopy to analyze and describe a newly identified species.

More images of Vagabundia sci:

Below: Segments of the fourth leg obtained using partial extended focus image (Valdecasas)

From: e-science news

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