Taxonomy

The key to describing new species in tropical forests and reefs is understanding how a creature is genetically coded and physically arranged. Whether it’s the number of microscopic hairs on a beetle, the color patterns on a deep reef fish or the internal organs of a flatworm, the skilled observations of a taxonomist, lead to the species descriptions basic to biological work in many other fields. STRI's commitment to traditional taxonomy is showcased by our scientists who regularly describe new species, and the institute's frequent convening of world experts in tropical taxonomy to train the next generation of taxonomists.