@article{fdi:010037850, title = {{T}axonomic exaggeration and its effects on orchid conservation}, author = {{P}illon, {Y}ohan and {C}hase, {M}. {W}.}, editor = {}, language = {{ENG}}, abstract = {{O}rchids are the largest family of flowering plants, encompassing several times as many species as birds or mammals. {B}ecause of their diversity, charisma, and threats from overcollection and habitat loss, they are a key group in conservation. {N}evertheless, preservation of this group is plagued by taxonomic problems, particularly in {E}urope, where new taxa are actively being described. {W}e used a checklist of orchids to compare the taxonomic treatment of this family between {E}urope and neighboring areas to search for geographical patterns. {N}umbers of invalid, infraspecific, and hybrid names are significantly higher in {E}urope than in surrounding areas. {R}ecognition of numerous and poorly circumscribed orchid taxa is a serious obstacle to their conservation because rare, poorly defined species may be prioritized for conservation over taxonomically "good" species. {T}his phenomenon may be the result of the popularity of orchids in {E}urope. {W}e believe that more taxonomic effort should be made in other areas of the world (e.g., the tropics) and on less charismatic groups.}, keywords = {conservation ; geopolitical bias ; orchidaceae ; taxonomy ; taxonomic inflation}, booktitle = {}, journal = {{C}onservation {B}iology}, volume = {21}, numero = {1}, pages = {263--265}, ISSN = {0888-8892}, year = {2007}, DOI = {10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00573.x}, URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010037850}, }