

The new genus and species of water mite called 'Vagabundia sci' by Antonio Valdecasas, researcher from the National Museum of Natural Sciences, is the first parasite of its kind analysed and described using confocal microscopy. Vagabundia sci, which belongs to the subfamily Axonopsinae, was discovered in the Escondido River (Panama) and takes its name from the word 'vagabond' and from the Science Citation Index (SCI), a document database that, according to the researcher, has contributed negatively to taxonomy.
'Before it can become part of history, I dedicate this species to this sociological tool, SCI, which has done more harm than good to the work of taxonomists and to the fundamental study of biodiversity,' Valdecasas emphasises. To illustrate the lack of recognition by the SCI to the work of taxonomists and the low citation index, the expert presents this male water mite by means of a technique only used sporadically for the taxonomic study of insects, amongst others.
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Minister Daniel Valchev and Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha on a visit to the NMNHS