Author
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Farr, David |
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Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2006 Publication Date: 8/30/2006 Citation: Farr, D.F. 2006. On-line Keys: More than just paper on the web. Taxon. 55:589-596. Interpretive Summary: Information about the biological diversity of organisms especially their identification is urgently needed by all kinds of biologists from conservation managers and ecologists to plant pathologists and plant quarantine officials. Making this information available to those who need it is greatly facilitated using the Internet. In addition the Internet allows maximal use of colored images. This research outlines a strategy for providing data about organisms of any kind on the Internet especially in the form of keys for identification. The strategy employs the use of linked databases. This approach allows users to select obvious characteristics of the organisms of interest to reduce the possible identification options. Once the specimen is identified, data about the species are available such as geographic distribution and host range. Using this approach biologists who are not specialists can easily identify organisms. In addition this approach is useful for the scientists who are making identification keys as a tool for managing data. This research will be used by scientists to make information about organisms available to users throughout the world. Technical Abstract: The Internet has opened new opportunities for the distribution of systematic information. Advantages such as immediate worldwide distribution, affordable presentation of color illustrations, ease of updating the information, and low cost all suggest that the Web is an ideal medium for the publication of keys. Using examples from the on-line interactive keys published on the Web site of the USDA ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory and other on-line keys, the important attributes of an on-line key are discussed. These include the use of standard Internet protocols, emphasis on images, and easy maintenance by scientists without intervention of IT staff. An additional point is that morphological data should be external to the key program. While the potential of Internet keys may be obvious, there are hurdles that must be overcome before there is any significant proliferation of on-line keys. Systematists must embrace the web as a desireable publishing option, peer review must recognize the significance of non-paper publication, and systematists need to incorporate more structured procedures for data collection. |
