INCLUSION IS NOT REPRESENTATIVENESS: THE CONTEXT OF COLOMBIAN SAMPLES IN THE TAXONOMIC AND SYSTEMATIC MID-LARGE HERPETOLOGICAL LITERATURE

Abstract

Despite being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, the inclusion and representativeness of samples from Colombia in taxonomic and systematic studies are still low in the herpetological literature. Currently, there are 80 herpetological collections in Colombia, which house more than 214 000 specimens with wide geographic coverage and extensive metadata. Here, I review the main herpetological literature in the Neotropics for the last 20 years, to explore the inclusion and representativeness of Colombian samples in taxonomic and systematic studies. I also compile the data available in Colombian herpetological collections, to provide a picture of its current status. I found that quantifying the inclusion and representativeness requires an indirect approach, since their dependence on the taxa distribution and sample availability mask the true extent of the gaps. Then, I discuss five possible reasons that may explain this phenomenon, including the absence of data, how bureaucracy may constrain researchers, the visibility of the data through online platforms, the participation of local taxonomists in publications, and difficulties accessing the existing material. I close with a discussion of the consequences and possible solutions.