Drivers of taxonomic bias in ecology and evolution: insights from ethologists and behavioural ecologists

Pietro Pollo, Michael M. Kasumovic

Taxonomic bias, i.e. the disproportionate attention given to some taxa relative to their diversity, continues to hinder innovation and the pursuit of generality in ecology and evolution. Yet, the factors shaping ecologists’ and evolutionary biologists’ choices of study organisms mostly remains a mystery. We propose a framework explaining researchers’ taxonomic choices along three major axes, supported by evidence from a preregistered survey of 868 researchers’ experiences. First, rational considerations, such as logistical ease and societal relevance, were associated with the choice of research organisms within major animal groups but rarely across them. Second, contextual factors, like the prominence of certain organisms within peer networks or early-career exposure to specific taxa, were also associated with researchers’ decisions about which organisms to study. Third, emotional factors, including taxonomic affinities, closely mirrored taxonomic patterns in the literature, indicating that they are a major driver of organism choice at broad taxonomic scales. Based on these findings, we suggest actions to mitigate taxonomic bias, including promoting (i) outreach initiatives featuring neglected taxa, (ii) taxonomically equitable education, and (iii) taxonomically diverse research experiences.