Historical shifts, geographic biases, and biological constraints shape mammal taxonomy

Species descriptions in taxonomy have become increasingly comprehensive, yet disparities persist across taxa and regions. We assess temporal trends in mammal species descriptions (1990–2022) using four proxies of comprehensiveness—counts of examined specimens and compared taxa, number of pages (only from the Methods/Results sections), and number of evidence lines (i.e., analytical tools and techniques). Using generalised linear models, we assessed how these proxies are explained by factors associated with species’ biology, geography, and taxonomic practice. Most new species derive from tropical regions, particularly rodents and bats, reflecting global discovery hotspots. Descriptions have grown more rigorous over time, with expanded specimen sampling, broader taxonomic comparisons, and integrative methods. However, disparities emerge along geographic and biological axes: temperate-region descriptions incorporate more evidence lines, while small-bodied and tropical species (especially bats) remain understudied due to sampling biases and resource limitations. Body size inversely correlates with description length, as smaller species often require advanced diagnostics. Species-rich genera show greater comprehensiveness, likely due to heightened diagnostic scrutiny, though bats exhibit the opposite trend, possibly due to taxon-specific sampling challenges. Our findings highlight progress in taxonomic rigor but underscore persistent gaps tied to geography, body size, and accessibility of analytical tools. Addressing these disparities requires targeted investments in local capacity, equitable collaboration, and accessible methodologies to strengthen global taxonomic infrastructure and support conservation priorities.