Natural Selection

At the outset a brief explanation is probably helpful. Pan-species listing is a largely British pursuit where people try and see, identify and record all species of plant and animal life. This includes anything above bacteria level, from microscopic flies and tardigrades to whales. It is still a relatively niche pursuit but has become steadily more popular in recent years.

This is really two narratives in one book – pan-species listing and the author’s reflections on his neurodivergence. Obviously there is a clear link between the two, and most if not all pan-species listers are likely to have autism or ADHD. But I think the marketing of the book doesn’t spell out how much personal stuff there is in the book. At times it feels like a justification of the author’s life choices rather than an objective guide, which doesn’t detract from reading but is probably worth knowing in advance.

If you are unsure of whether to get into pan-listing the answer is probably no you shouldn’t. You need to spend significant sums on equipment and books to do it well, and be prepared to kill thousands of creatures to identify them. This includes then in many cases examining their genitals under microscopes. At one point the would be beetle lister is advised to beat a dead bigger animal like a piñata over a tray to see what parasites drop out. Several of the biggest pan-listers have admitted to seeing pubic lice (their own presumably) as part of their totals. It’s not for everyone.

That said for the general naturalist reader it’s an extremely well researched and well written summary of the hundreds of different families of animals that can be seen in Britain. This includes excellent literature reviews that point you at the best works for identification. There is also extensive advice on how to see different animal groups.

One particular point I found odd was the stress that pan-species listing isn’t competitive, yet at times there is detail on who has seen the most species when it isn’t really relevant. I’m reminded of parkrun, which is also apparently not competitive (it’s a run not a race). In both cases I think the keenest exponents basically are competitive.

Please don’t let any of the above put you off. It’s an extremely good read by a very knowledgeable and lucid author. I’m just not sure whether it will succeed in encouraging more people to do pan-species listing, and may well put some people off…