ABSTRACT
The vast majority of species on Earth remain undiscovered, undescribed, and un-named (Chapter 10; Figure 10.3). Inadequate availability of taxonomic expertise, and infrastructure, have prompted concern about the ‘extinction’ of taxonomists. Isley (1972) envisioned a dystopian future without taxonomists almost 50 years ago. New species continue to be described; in fact, more new species are described every year and certainly more are described now than ever before (Tancoigne & Dubois, 2013). A few better known taxonomic groups do have overall declining rates of discovery (birds, possibly mammals; Figure 10.3), but this is not a general trend. Who is doing this work, and where is it happening?
