May 1988 how many species

Assessment of Possible Limitations We recognize a number of factors that can influence the interpretation and robustness of the estimates derived from the method described here. Species definitions. Changes in higher taxonomy. Figure 3. Assessment of factors affecting the higher taxon approach. Changes in taxonomic effort. Completeness of taxonomic inventories. Subjectivity in the Linnaean system of classification.

Discussion Knowing the total number of species has been a question of great interest motivated in part by our collective curiosity about the diversity of life on Earth and in part by the need to provide a reference point for current and future losses of biodiversity.

Materials and Methods Databases Calculations of the number of species on Earth were based on the classification of currently valid species from the Catalogue of Life www. Statistical Analysis To account for higher taxa yet to be discovered, we used the following approach.

Survey of Taxonomists We contacted 4, taxonomy experts with electronic mail addresses as listed in the World Taxonomist Database www.

Supporting Information. Figure S1. Completeness of the higher taxonomy of kingdoms of life on Earth. Figure S2. Sensitivity analysis due to changes in higher taxonomy. Figure S3. Assessing the effects of data incompleteness.

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