“Advancements in coral taxonomy using DNA has led to the discovery of new species of coral and better taxonomic definition,” Alliji said.

At times, however, he fails to draw a connection between a species and the city, punctuating the book with vignettes laden with contextless taxonomy.

But if Bogle’s book was a taxonomy, it was also a reclamation.

Complex rules govern the discipline of taxonomy, and typically a specimen must be designated as a reference point when it’s first named.

This approach, known as integrative taxonomy, allowed them to identify distinct biological entities previously overlooked.