A Commentary on Satria et al., (2026)’s The Monitoring Photography and its Obstacles in Invertebrate Taxonomic Studies in Sumatra: A Case Study of Dragonflies (Odonata) and Water Mites (Acari)
DOI:
10.29303/jbt.v26i4.12850Published:
2026-10-09Downloads
Abstract
Taxonomy-based reference specimen has developed to include photographs as proof of species description, which triggers rampant debates on its validity. This paper intends to respond to the concerns stated in Satria et al. (2026)’s recent paper delineating the shortcomings and weaknesses of photographic method in studying invertebrates such as Odonata (Insecta). The discussion on such paper is focused on the photography apparatus and photo-taking process in the field, how to assess the difficulty of photography method applied on Odonata objects as well as the identification procedure undertaken. In addition, the discussion also involves pros and contras regarding the use of photography in taxonomically describing a new species scientifically. It also emphasizes the innate potential of photography method in assisting species identification when proper measures conducted to produce photos with scientific standard.
Keywords:
Apparatus New species Photography Scientific standardReferences
Bárta, D., & Dolný, A. (2013). Dragonflies of Sungai Wain - Ecological Field Guide to the Odonata of Lowland Mixed Dipterocarp Forest of Southeastern Kalimantan. Taita Publishers. https://www.nhbs.com/dragonflies-of-sungai-wain-book
Byrne, A. Q. (2023a). Reimagining the future of natural history museums with compassionate collection. PLoS Biology, 21, e3002101. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002101
Byrne, A. Q. (2023b). Response to “Specimen collection is essential for modern science.” PLoS Biology, 21(11), e3002390. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pbio.3002390
Fadila, C., & Salah, D. M. (2025). Statistical Methods and Appropriate Selection Criteria. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 23(1), 1624–1631. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2025-23.1.00125
Hanafi-Portier, M., Samadi, S., Corbari, L., Chan, T.-Y., Chen, W.-J., Chen, J.-N., Lee, M.-Y., Mah, C., Saucède, T., Borremans, C., & Olu, K. (2021). When Imagery and Physical Sampling Work Together: Toward an Integrative Methodology of Deep-Sea Image-Based Megafauna Identification. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 749078. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.749078
ICZN. (1999). International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (4th ed). nternational Trust for Zoological Nomenclature.
Ilhami, M. W., Nurfajriani, W. V., Mahendra, A., Sirodj, R. A., & Afgani, M. W. (2024). Penerapan metode studi kasus dalam penelitian kualitatif. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 10(9), 462–469. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11180129
Janra, M.N. (2018). Inventory Of Dragonflies And Damselflies (Odonata) In Andalas University’s Limau Manis Campus Complex, Padang: Using Photographical Approach. Jurnal Natural, 18(2), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.24815/jn.v18i2.10844
Janra, M.N., & Herwina, H. (2020). Some additional records to the inventory of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) in Andalas University’s Limau Manis campus complex, Padang, West Sumatra. Jurnal Natural, 20(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.24815/jn.v20i1.14537
Janra, Muhammad Nazri. (2018). Inventory of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) in Andalas University’s Limau Manis Campus Complex, Padang: Using Photographical Approach. Jurnal Natural, 18(2), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.24815/JN.V18I2.10844
Jones, T., Ehardt, C. L., Butynski, T. M., Davenport, T. R. B., Mpunga, N. E., Machaga, S. J., & Luca, D. W. De. (2005). The highland mangabey Lophocebus kipunji: a new species of African monkey. Science, 308, 1161–1164. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1109191
Lonsdale, O., & Marshall, S. A. (2016). Revision of the family Nothybidae (Diptera: Schizophora). Zootaxa, 4098(1), 001–042. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4098.1.1
Lupiyaningdyah, P. (2020). The past, present and future of dragonfly research in Indonesia. BIO Web of Conferences, 19(1), 00024. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20201900024
M. Hämäläinen. (2016). Description of Heliocypha vantoli spec. nov. from Siberut in the Mentawai Islands (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae). Zootaxa, 4079(4), 495–500. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4079.4.9
Marshall, S. A., & Evenhuis, N. L. (2015). New species without dead bodies: a case for photo-based descriptions, illustrated by a striking new species of Marleyimyia Hesse (Diptera, Bombyliidae) from South Africa. ZooKeys, 525(117–127). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.525.6143
McKibben, F. E., & Frey, J. K. (2021). Linking camera-trap data to taxonomy: Identifying photographs of morphologically similar chipmunks. Ecology and Evolution, 11(14), 9741–9764. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7801
Mendes-Pontes, A. R., Malta, A., & Asfora, P. H. (2006). A new species of capuchin monkey, genus Cebus Erxleben (Cebidae, Primates): found at the very brink of extinction in the Pernambuco Endemism Centre. Zootaxa, 1299, 1–12.
Muharani, S., Yulita, R., Nugraha, F. A. D., & Satria, R. (2025). Preliminary Checklist of Dragonfly (Odonata) in Patotogat Island, Mentawai, West Sumatra, through Photographic Approach. Jurnal Biologi Universitas Andalas, 13(1), 22–28. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25077/jbioua.13.01.22-28.2025
Nachman, M. W., Beckman, E. J., Bowie, R. C. K., Cicero, C., Conroy, C. J., & Al., E. (2023). Specimen collection is essential for modern science. PLoS Biology, 21(11), e3002318. https://doi.org/https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002318
Pamungkas, B. C., Nugraha, M. P., Makitan, T. T., & Wijaya, K. D. (2016). Untring. Dragonflies of Banyuwangi. Indonesia Dragonfly Society.
Satria, R., Berliani, N., & Pratama, S. F. (2026). Jurnal Biologi Tropis The Monitoring Photography and its Obstacles in Invertebrate Taxonomic Studies in Sumatra : A Case Study of Dragonflies ( Odonata ) and Water Mites ( Acari ).
Setiyono, J., Diniarsih, S., Oscilata, E. N. R., & Budi, N. S. (2017). Dragonflies of Yogyakarta. Jenis Capung Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Indonesia Dragonfly Society. https://www.facebook.com/150988525003498/posts/hadir-di-september-2017-dragonflies-of-yogyakarta-satu-lagi-bacaan-buku-mengenai/1045832235519118/
Shatalkin, A. I., & Galinskaya, T. V. (2017). A commentary on the practice of using the so-called typeless species. ZooKeys, 693, 129–139. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.693.10945
Silsby, J. (2001). Dragonflies of the World. CSIRO Publishing.
Thalmann, U., & Geissmann, T. (2005). New species of woolly lemur Avahi (Primates: Lemuriformes) in Bernaraha (central western Madagascar). American Journal of Primatology, 67, 371–376. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20191
Winker, K., Reed, J., Scalante, P., Askins, R., Cicero, C., Hough, G., & et al. (2010). The importance, effects, and ethics of bird collecting. Auk, 127, 90–695.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Nazri Janra
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Jurnal Biologi Tropis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The copyright of the received article shall be assigned to the author as the owner of the paper. The intended copyright includes the right to publish the article in various forms (including reprints). The journal maintains the publishing rights to the published articles.
Authors are permitted to disseminate published articles by sharing the link/DOI of the article at the journal. Authors are allowed to use their articles for any legal purposes deemed necessary without written permission from the journal with an acknowledgment of initial publication to this journal.
