Conserving the type locality hotspots

Extract

Several authors have discussed actions to conserve areas important for taxonomy. Watt (1977) listed type localities of Coleoptera and suggested their usefulness in conservation. More recently, Brundu and colleagues (2017) asserted the importance of considering the type localities of plant species in conservation strategies. Conservation considerations therefore buttress taxonomic ones in rendering type localities important.

In July 2024, a chemical spill killed fish in the Piracicaba River, in the upper Paraná River basin, in southeastern Brazil. This case was broadly reported in the media because of its striking negative impacts on biodiversity. The affected watercourse is relevant for taxonomy because it contains the type localities of several species. In light of this recent attention, we believe discussions about the importance of conservation actions focusing on type localities are timely. Although we use zoological examples, our claims may apply to other biological groups.

What is a type locality? Why is it important?