AOU 2009 renames Notharchus macrohynchos to N. hyperhynchus.  As expected, if I add new sightings of White-necked Puffbird, using AOU 2009, I can assign them to N. hyperhynchus.

However, all of my old records entered under AOU 2008 and prior taxonomic lists are still stored in my database as N. macrohynchos.  So any listings of all records under genus Notharchus, and while using AOU 2009 as taxonomy, will only include new entries and no old records. I would conclude that I need to edit all old records and change them to N. hyperhynchus.  That can easily be done in one Mass Edit and I did that.

Here's the problem:  I have about 50 local checklists created pre-2009 that include N. macrohynchos, but of course not N. hyperhynchus.  While all local checklists are subset areas of Belize or Mexico, none of the above transactions changed N. macrohynchos to N. hyperhynchus.

I cannot think of any simple way to update the local checklists.  I can only think of going to Checklist Editor and one-by-one, delete the N. macrohynchos entry and add the N. hyperhynchus - no small task for 50+ checklists.

Any suggestions of a quicker, simplier fix?

Bert

Hi Bert,

While the new 2009 AOU tax list did change the specific epithet for White-necked Puffbird, you have to do nothing in BD. Truly - nothing. No reassigning sightings or anything. If you use your AOU 2008 tax list to view those sightings, they will still show up under the old sci-name; but if you use the AOU 2009 tax list to view those sightings, the very same sighting will show up under the new sci-name. This is what BD does for you automatically. Your changes made no difference and did no harm. You simply reassigned them to the same thing. As these sightings are all attached to the underlying BD thing called 'White-necked Puffbird' (just happens to be called the same as the common name used by AOU).

The same is true for the checklist data. No change is necessary at all. Everything works correctly with no modifications. As, the checklist data itself, is also attached to the underlying BD thing.

Let me know if I can help explain this better. But again, nothing require on your end for anything.

Jeff

Jeff,

I understand the explanation.  It's the facts that differ.  I am attaching a series of screen captures, all from Checklist Editor.  In some I've used 2008 taxonomy and others are 2009 taxonomy.  After depressing the Set button to lock in the taxonomy I entered the bird in the Thing Checklist (sometimes as common name and then selecting species appropriate to taxonomic list and sometimes as genus-species).  In most cases the locations list is filled with countries only, no custom checklists. Then I requested a Location Checklist for one of the custom checklists that prior to adding the 2009 AOU list to my computer used to show White-necked Puffbird (WNPU).  Here's the mixed bag of results:

Shot#, AOU-list, thing, custom checklists show (Y/N), WNPU show (Y/N)

2, AOU2008, WNPU+WNPU, yes-custom, no-WNPU

3, AOU2009, WNPU+hyperrhynchus, no-custom, no-WNPU

5, AOU2009, N.macrorhynchos, no-custom, no-WNPU

6, AOU2008, N.macrorhynchos, no-custom, yes-WNPU

1, AOU2008, N.hyperrhynchus, no-custom, no-WNPU

4, AOU2009, N.hyperrhynchus, no-custom, no-WNPU

The first of 3 of 6 attachments are included here.

Bert

Here are screen shots 4, 5, 6

Hi Bert,

Some confusion here.

The left side of the Checklist Editor has NOTHING to do with the right side. Setting the taxonomy/location on the left side has no effect on what the right side does.

Ah - ha. I failed to expand the Thing Description field in the Rosetta Stone large enough to see the different. You are right! The internal thing for this bird changed between AOU 2008 and AOU 2009. In 2008 it pointed to the internal thing "White-necked Puffbird", but in 2009, it is now pointing to "White-necked Puffbird hyperrynchus".

We will have to ask SteveO (taxonomy guru) why he did this. Perhaps it was a mistake or purposeful. I am sure he will respond within a day.

Thanks for finding this and pointing it out.

Jeff

Jeff,

I know the two sides of the screen are unrelated.  I was just trying to show two things at once and not produce so many screen shots.

On the right side of the screen, does it use the taxonomy list, e.g., AOU2009, or is it irrelevant?

Bert

Excerpted from P 708 of the 50th supplement to the AOU checklist http://www.aou.org/checklist/suppl/AOU_checklist_suppl_50.pdf 

I believe this makes sense also.

In that case, I believe Bert did the right thing in reassigning his sightings.

Let me know if you have further questions on that Bert.

On an additional note, the 3.7 Split Wizard (Tax Comparer) Tool would have caught this and easily allowed you to reassign your sightings.

Jeff