Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Mark Harvey has described over 1,000 new species, many of which are arachnids, invertebrates, and other ancient creatures.
- Harvey’s work has taken him around the world, and he has become one of the few people to have reached this milestone in the field of taxonomy.
- He has been honored by his colleagues, with 45 species named after him, and is considered one of the greatest taxonomists of his generation.
- Harvey’s work is crucial for conservation, as it helps to identify and catalog species that are often unknown or understudied.
- He is concerned about the impact of habitat loss, climate change, and bushfires on the animals he loves, and is troubled by the legacy we are leaving for future generations.
Introduction to Dr. Mark Harvey
Dr. Mark Harvey is a renowned taxonomist who has spent his career studying and describing new species, particularly arachnids, invertebrates, and other ancient creatures. For most people, August 16, 1977, is remembered as the day Elvis Presley died. However, for Harvey, it was the day he collected his first pseudoscorpion, a tiny and ancient relative of the spider, which marked the beginning of his journey in the field of taxonomy. This year, Harvey has become one of the few people on the planet to have described more than 1,000 new species, with his tally standing at 1,015 when he spoke to the Guardian earlier this week. By Friday, he had added two more species to his list, bringing his total to 1,017.
A Career Spanning Decades
Harvey’s career has taken him around the world, and he has spent much of his time as the curator of arachnids and myriapods at the Western Australian Museum in Perth. He remembers his very first new species, the pseudoscorpion Geogarypus rhantus, which he described from a specimen in the Queensland Museum in 1981. Harvey’s memory for dates and detail is as precise as his work, and he can recall even the smallest details about the specimens he has collected over the years. However, it took him a long time to realize that he had a gift for taxonomy, and it wasn’t until the 1990s that he understood the significance of his work.
The Importance of Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the scientific field of discovering, defining, cataloging, and naming species. It is a labor-intensive discipline, but it is considered vital for conservation. As Harvey notes, "If you don’t know what it is or where it occurs, you can’t conserve it." His work has helped to identify and catalog many species that were previously unknown or understudied, and his contributions to the field of taxonomy are immeasurable. Harvey’s colleagues have honored him over the years, naming 45 species after him, and he is considered one of the greatest taxonomists of his generation.
A Legacy of Discovery
Harvey’s legacy extends beyond his own work, as he has mentored many scientists and inspired a new generation of taxonomists. Dr. Mike Rix, the curator of arachnology at the Queensland Museum, has worked with Harvey for three decades and praises his achievements. "Describing more than 1,000 species is an enormous achievement," says Rix. "Mark is one of very few taxonomists in Australian history to have reached that milestone. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest taxonomists of his generation and one of the world’s foremost arachnologists." Harvey’s legacy as a mentor and science leader in the field of taxonomy is almost unquantifiable, and his contributions will continue to inspire and inform future generations of scientists.
A Passion for Pseudoscorpions
Harvey’s fascination with pseudoscorpions comes down to their complexity, their ancient lineage, and their unique characteristics. He is the world authority on pseudoscorpions and has spent many years studying these tiny creatures. Harvey’s passion for pseudoscorpions is evident in his work, and he has described many new species of these ancient arachnids. His love for pseudoscorpions is not just about their scientific significance but also about their unique characteristics, such as their ability to run faster backwards than forwards.
The Future of Taxonomy
Harvey officially retired earlier this year, but he is still working on many projects, including a 400-page manuscript that he hopes will describe about 60 new species. He is concerned about the impact of habitat loss, climate change, and bushfires on the animals he loves and is troubled by the legacy we are leaving for future generations. Despite his concerns, Harvey remains optimistic about the future of taxonomy and the importance of his work. He believes that his contributions will continue to inspire and inform future generations of scientists and conservationists, and he hopes that his legacy will help to protect the many species that he has described over the years.
Conclusion
Dr. Mark Harvey’s work is a testament to the importance of taxonomy and the impact that one person can have on our understanding of the natural world. His contributions to the field of taxonomy are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire and inform future generations of scientists and conservationists. As we look to the future, it is clear that Harvey’s work will remain a vital part of our efforts to protect and conserve the many species that call our planet home. The pseudoscorpion that Harvey collected in 1977 is still in a jar in the WA Museum, and it remains undescribed. However, it is a reminder of the many species that are still waiting to be discovered and described, and the important work that taxonomists like Harvey do to help us understand and protect the natural world.
