The Linnean shortfall in the digital age: how unverified identifications obscure marine biodiversity

Taxonomy provides the essential foundation for studying biodiversity, guiding ecological research and conservation efforts. However, the growing use of digital platforms for species identification introduces both opportunities and significant risks. Online crowdsourcing initiatives and citizen science projects engage the public but often rely on users with varied levels of training, potentially leading to misidentifications that can distort scientific data. A case study of Brazilian sea anemones revealed how unverified social media identifications overlooked a new endemic species, highlighting the potential conservation consequences of such errors. To balance public participation with scientific accuracy, this report recommends expert verification of crowdsourced data, the implementation of robust validation protocols, institutional accountability, transparent collaboration, and the strategic leveraging of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. While digital platforms democratize biodiversity science, maintaining rigorous taxonomic standards remains critical for effective conservation.

Keywords:
Taxonomy; Crowdsourcing; Misidentification; Conservation; Social media