I greatly appreciate this initiative not simply as a means to increase citations of taxonomic papers but to also underline the relevance and long-lasting impact of taxonomic work. E.g. a species description does not have a decay time like results in some other disciplines might. Like Dani, Karen and others I also always suggest to include the relevant taxonomic references in the list of literature cited when I review manuscripts. I have been nagging authors and editors with this request for many years now. Since 2015 I am following this idea also as an associate editor for "Marine Biodiversity" (https://link.springer.com/journal/12526) A common argument often heard against citing taxonomic references is that literature lists become too long and printing costs rise. But with online publishing becoming more and more standard this point becomes less substantive - if it ever was (see Karen's comment re making it easier to find the original reference). Another point being held up is that esp. citations of old works are often quoted faulty and misleading. Well, then there are reviewers and editors, who should straighten that out and pretty soon the correct quotation should become a standard.
I would like to add another point here: I think that e.g. in ecological papers it would make sense to cite the literature used for the identification of taxa in the Material and Methods section - and naturally list the citation(s) in the list of references. Identification keys are very helpful tools produced by taxonomists not only for use by their kin but for colleagues in a much wider range of fields. Ecologists are always happy if they get a taxonomic key for a certain taxon. Primer or other standard programs for statistical analyses are cited in almost every ecological paper, like standard molecular procedures are in molecular papers (see the example by Sergio), etc. So why not give the taxonomic key the proper credit, which I think it deserves?
So, yes, I think something like an open letter to taxonomists would be a good idea.
Best, Dieter
