title: A New Integrated Approach to Taxonomy: The Fusion of Molecular and Morphological Systematics with Type Material in Benthic Foraminifera.
abstract: A robust and consistent taxonomy underpins the use of fossil material in palaeoenvironmental research and long-term assessment of biodiversity. This study presents a new integrated taxonomic protocol for benthic foraminifera by unequivocally reconciling the traditional taxonomic name to a specific genetic type. To implement this protocol, a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene is used in combination with 16 quantitative morphometric variables to fully characterise the benthic foraminiferal species concept of Elphidium williamsoni Haynes, 1973. A combination of live contemporary topotypic specimens, original type specimens and specimens of genetic outliers were utilised in this study. Through a series of multivariate statistical tests we illustrate that genetically characterised topotype specimens are morphologically congruent with both the holotype and paratype specimens of E. williamsoni Haynes, 1973. We present the first clear link between morphologically characterised type material and the unique SSU rRNA genetic type of E. williamsoni. This example provides a standard framework for the benthic foraminifera which bridges the current discontinuity between molecular and morphological lines of evidence, allowing integration with the traditional Linnaean roots of nomenclature to offer a new prospect for taxonomic stability.
authors.affiliation: School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9AL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9AL, United Kingdom.|Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, Scotland, PA37 1QA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.affiliation: School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, United Kingdom.|UMR CNRS 6112, LPG-BIAF Recent and Fossil Bio-Indicators, University of Angers, 2 bd Lavoisier, 49045, Angers Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.affiliation: School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9AL, United Kingdom.|School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darling
mesh_terms: D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D044822:Biodiversity; D002965:Classification; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D056908:Foraminifera / Q000145:classification*; D005580:Fossils; D005843:Geography; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010163:Paleontology / Q000379:methods; D010802:Phylogeny; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis*; D054679:Ribosome Subunits, Small
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal