>(...) The names change (very fast).
Some taxonomists do their best to slow down the speed a bit.
>(...)In contrast to the past
>people now run to the rain forrest collecting new species (naming them
>thus creating a market and propagating them in their own monetary
>interest believing in the need to environmentally -> tissue cultured
>satisfy the demand).
No. At least not the people I know.
Of course, sometimes the interest in cps is not entirely scientific. But
you must accept that at least some field exploration has helped to even
*reduce* the number of names and taxonomic problems.
>You know yourself that the genetic diversity is not preserved by tissue
>culture.
Genetic diversity is much less preserved by destruction of the natural
habitats (which is in too many cases even sponsored by local governments!).
Certainly, one clone is a poor representation of a species, but it is very
much more than ZERO clones, isn't it?
>So, tell me please, what do you do against the global warming, the war in
>Chechnia, ...
This is not really a satisfactory answer to the questions posed.
>What does N.xxxx help us in the tube if the forrests are gone ? It is
>hypocritical to say plant collectors do any good to the nature by ha-
>ving the plants in their greenhouses. It is for their own fun.
(...)
>Sure, as more or less 'artificial' artifacts disembodied from their
>environment with no realistic hope ever to be reestablished. So, what
>is the value, anyway ? What is a species without its ecosystem.
Again, one clone is much more than none! I do firmly believe in a high
value of any living creature (especially if it is a cp ;-)), as it is a
unique organism formed by millions of years of evolution.
We probably won't be able to prevent destruction of the habitats (too many
people *want* the destruction; v.s.), so let us at least try to prevent
(admittedly, only a very tiny little bit of) extinction.
Any extinct species (or other taxon) is a loss which cannot be compensated
by any human effort (forget about "Jurassic Park", it doesn't work!). So
every successful attempt at preserving even a limited set of individuals
representing a taxon is an achievement. Nobody can solve all the problems
globally, and at once, but I think ex situ conservation is a serious issue
(irrespective of the technique used).
(...)
>For us hobbyists this is a great idea but please drop these exaggerated
>claims that we would save the world if we had a stock of tissue cultured CPs.
Maybe some future (wiser) race will rediscover the value of *biological*
species living in the environment they were adapted to for millions of
years (until _Homo "sapiens"_ - nomen illegitimum? - came to kill them
within a few hundred years). These guys may prove grateful for some grains
to sow...
Kind regards
Jan
PS:>No, but it is welcomed opportunity to be able to sell them overpriced
>in high numbers in a short time.
Here is my tip of the day: If it's too much $$, you don't need to buy!
I would *love* an ad like:
"Liquidation sale because of space limitation.
Buy 50 _Utricularia podadena_ and 50 _U.dimorphantha_ for five bucks,
and get 50 _Pinguicula algida_ and 50 _Nepenthes rajah_ free!..."
Where is your price limit (even if the stuff were from TC)?
Sorry all you people who have read this stuff and not benefited from it. I
really hate to waste bandwidth, but there are more than 2 recipients
involved.