The story of Dr. Mark Harvey, a renowned taxonomist, is an inspiring journey into the world of arachnids and the importance of taxonomy. A single pseudoscorpion found under a rock in 1977 sparked a lifetime of dedication to discovering and naming new species.
For most, August 16, 1977, is remembered as the day Elvis Presley passed away. But for Dr. Harvey, then an 18-year-old, it was the day he collected his first pseudoscorpion, a tiny creature with an ancient lineage, setting him on a path to become one of the world's leading taxonomists.
This year, Dr. Harvey joined an elite group of scientists who have described over 1,000 new species. His work has focused on arachnids, including spiders, pseudoscorpions, and scorpions, as well as other invertebrates like millipedes and velvet worms. When we caught up with him, his tally stood at an impressive 1,015 new species described in scientific journals.
But here's where it gets controversial... Dr. Harvey's 1,000th species was a group of 24 wishbone spiders, described alongside colleagues in the journal Invertebrate Systematics. And just days later, he added two more to the list: Enigmachernes dissidens and Enigmachernes parnabyi, pseudoscorpions found on bats, published in the Australian Journal of Zoology.
Dr. Harvey's career has taken him around the globe, but his passion for taxonomy began with a simple curiosity about the natural world. He recalls his first new species discovery, Geogarypus rhantus, with excitement and humor. "I thought I was king of the world," he laughs, his memory for detail as sharp as his scientific skills.
Taxonomy, the scientific field of species discovery, definition, cataloging, and naming, is a labor-intensive process. Yet, as Dr. Harvey points out, it's vital for conservation efforts. "If you don't know what it is or where it occurs, you can't conserve it." This statement highlights the critical role taxonomists play in preserving biodiversity.
Dr. Harvey's colleagues have honored his contributions by naming 45 species after him. Dr. Mike Rix, a fellow arachnologist and mentee of Dr. Harvey, describes his mentor's achievement as "enormous." Dr. Rix goes on to say, "Mark is undoubtedly one of the greatest taxonomists of his generation and one of the world's foremost arachnologists. His legacy as a mentor and science leader in taxonomy is almost immeasurable."
When asked about his skills in species description, Dr. Harvey attributes his success to his drawing abilities and an eye for detail. He often uses straightforward Latin names, but will occasionally name a species after a scientist, a place, or a characteristic, as seen with the short-tailed whip scorpion, Draculoides bramstokeri.
Dr. Harvey's fascination with pseudoscorpions, a field in which he is the world authority, stems from their complexity, ancient lineage, and unique abilities. "They can run faster backwards than forwards, and as an avid basketballer, I think that's a useful skill," he quips.
Despite his achievements, Dr. Harvey expresses sadness at the loss of animal habitats and the decline of species populations during his career. He blames habitat loss, climate change, and bushfires for this decline, and worries about the legacy we are leaving for future generations. "I am troubled by the legacy we are leaving for our children and grandchildren," he says.
Even in retirement, Dr. Harvey continues to work on a backlog of manuscripts, including a 400-page project that aims to describe around 60 new species. He estimates he has another 10 years of work left in him, and hopes to describe a few hundred more species. "I would have to live for another 50 years to describe all the ones I have collected. I've collected maybe a couple of thousand new species that are still undescribed," he reveals.
And what of that first pseudoscorpion he found in 1977? It remains in a jar at the Western Australian Museum, awaiting description. "It's probably a new species," Dr. Harvey says. A fitting reminder of the journey that began with a single tiny creature under a rock.
