Chance to name a new orchid species

[Discus]

Assuming it's taxonomically defensible (and not splitting for the sake of fun and "profit"!), you might be able to charge more for genera or perhaps even higher taxa.

Having sp. nov. stolen out from under your nose by some unscrupulous people sucks, and happens quite often, so I quite understand your pre-press release (and hopefully publication) reticence to publish details :/

[Discus]

There are some bulbos in Madagascar too if memory serves.

I've long thought auctioning off the naming rights to things would be a nice little additional earner for the support of conservation activities (and perhaps even the dying art of taxonomy) - and if you can get it right, particularly to mega-diverse groups (insects particularly, unglamarous as they are) that otherwise end up with serial names from taxonomists at a loss what else to call them, why not!

There is a long history of "rewarding" patronage of expeditions by honorific naming, so I don't see anything that novel (in the sense of objecting to it) about this either.

Finding revenue streams at the end of the day is sadly vital; it's a shame research and conservation are increasingly having to think like businesses, but that's the way of the world these days! Good luck!

[BruceP]

There is nothing new or original about this. A quick Google search will turn up numerous organizations doing the same thing. Linnaeus himself named species for benefactors and it has been going on ever since.

Perhaps more interesting is that he also named particularly ugly or noxious species after his enemies/detractors - which strikes me as a hugely under-exploited "marketing" strategy. I can think of a few people that I might like to name a new species of stinkbug or slime-mold after (weasels and snakes likely being out of my price range). They would probably even consider it an honor!

What I really wanted to do was to reiterate my earlier proposal to distinguish your offering from the others by providing propagules of the orchids. Not only can this be done inexpensively and without any impact to wild populations, but introducing a (not-extremely-horticulturally-significant) plant - particularly an orchid - into cultivation can actually serve to reduce potential pressure on wild populations (commercial pressure, ex-situ conservation is an irrelevancy.) None of the species described on your website should present any particular permitting problems in Colombia, though you may want to consult with a commercial enterprise with experience in such matters.

[JungleWriter]

Thank you BruceP. Of course, I wasn't claiming that our approach was new! We feel very fortunate to be in a position where we can fund conservation through this approach.

I love the idea of naming new species after enemies or detractors too!

And I will ask my contacts about your earlier proposal. I think it has real merit, and we will have to look into ways to find the resources to make it happen.

[tropterrarium]

I described a species where the name was auctioned off (not an orchid, but same idea). It supported the non-profit I work for. I think it sold for ~US$6K to give you some idea, and it was not something as attractive as an orchid.

It is true that the scientist who writes the description decides upon the name. When auctioning off the name, the scientist has to agree to begin with to honor the wishes of the winning bidder (within limits, noting inflamatory, indecent etc.). We spelled it out that the name was chosen as a collaborative effort between the winning bidder and the scientist (me). Was dead easy.

We've done that a couple of times before, with revenue in the 5-10K range. I know of other non-profits, who have done the same. Ample precedent.

Getting it published is also no problem. Speaking as an editor for some systematics journals, I can see when a name was sold. We all recognize that science is not done for free, so creative funding opportunities are certainly fine. The reviewers and I make sure that there is nothing inflamatory, indecent etc. Never had a problem with that either.

[JungleWriter]

Hi Tropterrarium, thank you for your thoughts. We are looking to auction off the naming to raise funds to support conservation efforts (specifically to purchase land on behalf of local NGOs who will own it).

We are working with taxonomists and other scientists so we're confident that we can get this right.

It makes sense to raise money this way, particularly since systematics is so poorly supported by the public purse. It seems a waste then when some species are named with apparent flippancy, even though it proves scientists have a sense of humor!

Deep Type Flow: Funny scientific names - Abra cadabra

[tropterrarium]

Originally Posted by JungleWriter

It seems a waste then when some species are named with apparent flippancy, even though it proves scientists have a sense of humor!

Deep Type Flow: Funny scientific names - Abra cadabra

Yep, occasionally we have fun. For a longer list see
Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature A couple of my names are on this list.

This one caught my attention"

Callicebus aureipalatii (Golden Palace monkey) The right to name this Bolivian monkey were put up for option. GoldenPalace.com, a Canadian web-based casino, paid $650,000 for such publicity. The money will generate an estimated $40,000 to $45,000 per year which the Bolivian Wildlife Conservation Society will use to maintain Madidi National Park, probably the most biologically diverse park in the world.

[JungleWriter]

Amazing! I doubt we'll get that much for an orchid! But it goes to show that there's gold in them thar hills!

[Island Girl]

That is a fabulous idea! My dad used to work for the Land Trust of NC, & does a lot of fund- raising either for the Land Trust or for something else entirely (like many things in ours & nearby communities) & not that I am anywhere as knowledgable as him, but in my humble opinion I really think it is a fantastic idea there are so many ppl that have a love of orchids, & this is a rare opportunity, so as long as you advertise in the right places I think it could potentially be really successful!

And the flask of seedlings sounds like a really cool idea! Obviously as long as the wild plants are not disturbed, that would be really unique & i think it would make it even more personal, & fun...

Best Of Luck!! I hope you will keep us posted on how it turns out, if y'all are able to auction off the naming of a new species of orchid... I would like to hear about it! (don't think I could afford to bid, much less win, but still cool to hear about!)

[MeaSpecies]

The idea to receive funds for nature conservation projects through giving the naming rights to a donar was controversial discussed in the past. Somes black sheeps (scientists) abused this idea. In general it should works best, if the beneficiary satisfactorily shows the nature protection idea behind the offer for naming an undescribed species. And this is what I try to communicate on the therefor destined www.measpecies.com

Good luck for your conservation project