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The ITS2 Database
Published on: March 12, 2012
The web and the structure of taxonomy
H C J Godfray1, B R Clark, I J Kitching
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. charles.godfray@zoo.ox.ac.uk
Systematic Biology
|December 11, 2007
Summary
Accessible taxonomic knowledge bases are crucial for biodiversity science. The internet is transforming taxonomy by enabling easier access to data and fostering new models for taxonomic practice.
Area of Science:
- * Biodiversity Science
- * Systematics
- * Information Science
Background:
- * Taxonomic information is traditionally organized by historical rules like binomial nomenclature.
- * Knowledge is compiled from taxonomic literature and type specimens in collections.
- * Current taxonomic practice relies on established conventions and data repositories.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To explore the impact of modern information dissemination, particularly the internet, on taxonomic practices.
- * To discuss the potential for a fully web-based taxonomy.
- * To examine the need for better integration of taxonomy with its user communities.
Main Methods:
- * Review of current internet-based taxonomic resources (e.g., specimen data, type locations, name catalogues).
- * Discussion of emerging web-publishing trends for taxonomic hypotheses.
- * Analysis of a pilot project (CATE initiative) exploring web-based taxonomy models.
Main Results:
- * Basic taxonomic data and specialist tools are increasingly available online.
- * Web-publishing of taxonomic hypotheses is emerging but faces nomenclatural challenges.
- * A pilot project is investigating the feasibility of a fully web-based taxonomy.
Conclusions:
- * The internet offers significant opportunities to enhance accessibility and practice in taxonomy.
- * A shift towards web-based models could revolutionize taxonomic knowledge sharing.
- * Stronger links with user communities are vital for taxonomy's future funding and relevance.
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