Historical shifts, geographic biases, and biological constraints shape mammal species discovery

Abstract

Species descriptions have become increasingly comprehensive, yet disparities persist across taxa and regions. We assess temporal trends in mammal species descriptions (1990–2025) using four proxies of comprehensiveness—counts of examined specimens and compared taxa, number of pages (only from the Methods/Results sections), and number of evidence lines (i.e., analytical tools and techniques). Using generalized linear models, we assessed how these proxies are explained by factors associated with species’ biology, geography, and taxonomic practice. Most new species originate from tropical regions, particularly among rodents and bats, reflecting the global discovery hotspots. Descriptions have grown more rigorous over time, with expanded specimen sampling, broader taxonomic comparisons, and integrative methods. However, disparities emerge along geographic and biological axes: descriptions from temperate regions incorporate more evidence lines, while small-bodied and tropical species (especially bats) remain understudied due to sampling biases and resource limitations. Body size inversely correlates with description length, as smaller species often require advanced diagnostics. Species-rich genera show greater comprehensiveness, likely due to heightened diagnostic scrutiny. Our findings highlight progress in taxonomic rigor but underscore persistent gaps tied to geography, body size, and accessibility of analytical tools. Addressing these disparities requires targeted investments in local capacity, equitable collaboration, and accessible methodologies to strengthen global taxonomic infrastructure and support conservation priorities.