What is in a model?

After reading contradictory claims of model status for some insect species, we feel a brief discussion of the topic may be useful. Here, we document a few examples where clarity on model status seems to be lacking, briefly review work on widely recognized models, and offer criteria for including any given species as a model organism.

Automated summary

This passage discusses the issue of contradictory claims about model status for certain insect species, and provides criteria for considering a species as a model organism.