Abstract
In proposing what might be the three leading questions in taxonomy, I have thought primarily about what might be the biggest barriers to taxonomists accurately describing the species on our planet and interpreting their phylogenetic relationships within a historical context. I have generally used the vernacular and examples of issues which I know as a dipterist (fly taxonomist). I apologize to my colleagues working on other groups but hope to be pardoned in the recognition that the problems identified below do appear to apply to our broader taxonomic community. 1. What are the impacts of the rapid rate of present day extinctions? 2. What is the future for taxonomists themselves? 3. What are some of the impacts of technology?
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