title: A position paper on the electronic publication of nematode taxonomic manuscripts.
abstract: Several nematode species have now attained 'model organism' status, yet there remain many niches in basic biological inquiry for which nematodes would be ideal model systems of study. However, furthering the model system approach is hindered by lack of information on nematode biodiversity. The shortage of taxonomic resources to inventory and characterize biodiversity hinders research programs in invasion biology, ecosystem functioning, conservation biology, and many others. The disproportion between numbers of species to be described and numbers of available taxonomic specialists is greater for Nematoda than for any other metazoan phylum. A partial solution to the taxonomic impediment is the adoption of recent advances in electronic publishing. Electronic publishing has the potential to increase the rate at which taxonomic papers are published, the breadth of their distribution, and the type, quantity, quality, and accessibility of data. We propose that the Journal of Nematology implement the advantageous aspects of electronic publication as a means to help ameliorate the limitations of an underdeveloped taxonomy and empower the nematological disciplines currently hindered by it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC
authors.lastname: Eyualem-Abebe
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Duane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huettel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mullin
authors.forename: Topper
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Jyotsna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: William K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Thomas