Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group (GBTWG)
Who are we?
A committee tasked with keeping up with changes in bat taxonomy, adjudicating taxonomic problems and disputes and maintaining a comprehensive list of valid bat taxa and synonyms. The GBTWG currently operates out of the American Museum of Natural History under the direction of chair Dr. Nancy Simmons. Membership consists of taxonomy experts and specialist users from 15 countries.
Members |
Dr. Nancy Simmons (Chair)
Dr. Kyle Armstrong Mr. Eric Bakwo Dr. Paul Bates Mr. Conner Burgin Dr. Andrea Cirranello Dr. Gabor Csorba Dr. Terrence Demos Ms. Beatriz Dybas da Natividade Dr. Charles Francis Dr. Winifred Frick Dr. Steve Goodman Dr. Tigga Kingston Dr. Rodrigo Medellin Dr. Ara Monadjem Dr. Ricardo Moratelli Mr. Jorrit Poelen Dr. DeeAnn Reeder Ms. Aja Sherman Dr. Pipat Soisook Dr. Sergio Solari Dr. Angelo Soto-Centeno Dr. Valeria Tavares Dr. Susan Tsang Dr. Nathan Upham Dr. Victor Van Cakenberghe Dr. Paúl Velazco Dr. David Waldien Dr. Paul Webala Dr. Sigit Wiantoro Dr. Heather York Mr. Jelle Zijlstra |
What do we do? |
The GBTWG evaluates the validity of new species descriptions and revisions through review of data and methods applied to recognize taxonomic limits and distinctions. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a widely accepted convention that governs the formal scientific naming of animals. We work to ensure that the ICZN rules are applied appropriately in bat taxonomy.
We seek to:
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More on methodology |
Modern analytical methods, especially molecular data and statistical analyses, have resulted in many taxonomic problems in cases where bat species have been split and/or hybrid zones recognized. The GBTWG seeks to balance the needs and opinions of researchers with the need for a stable taxonomy while working within the guidelines of the ICZN rules.
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The Batnames Database
The GBTWG maintains the Batnames database (“Bats of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Database”) to deliver taxonomic information to the scientific community. The Batnames database provides an up-to-date and authoritative species-level classification of bats that reflects the decisions of the GBTWG.
Published Opinions
The GBTWG occasionally publishes opinions to resolve particularly difficult taxonomic problems. These provide the history of the problem, data that have been used to argue for different solutions, and the rationale used by the GBTWG to reach a decision as to what taxonomic name(s) should be applied in particular cases based on consideration of the data available and the ICZN Code. These publications are listed below, with links to provide access.
Francis, C. M.; N. B. Simmons, V. Van Cakenberghe, N. S. Upham, and C. Burgin, on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2023. On the taxonomy of Lasiurus (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7696845
Francis, C. M., and N. B. Simmons on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2022. On the taxonomy of Myotis lucifugus (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7338575
Upham, N. S., and C. M. Francis on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2022. On the taxonomy of Myotis keenii and Myotis evotis (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7336341
Francis, C. M.; N. B. Simmons, V. Van Cakenberghe, N. S. Upham, and C. Burgin, on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2023. On the taxonomy of Lasiurus (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7696845
Francis, C. M., and N. B. Simmons on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2022. On the taxonomy of Myotis lucifugus (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7338575
Upham, N. S., and C. M. Francis on behalf of the Global Bat Taxonomy Working Group of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. 2022. On the taxonomy of Myotis keenii and Myotis evotis (v1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7336341
Contact us
If you have questions about taxonomy or would like to contact us for any other reason, please email Nancy Simmons at [email protected].
Header image. Chrotopterus auritus from Lamanai, Belize; photo by Brock and Sherri Fenton
