[Taxacom] Launched: Marine Species Identification Portal

[pschalk]

Launched: Marine Species Identification Portal 

(MarBEF/KeyToNature)

 

We are proud to announce the launch of the Marine Species Identification Portal
(www.marinespecies.eu <http://www.marinespecies.eu/> ), an initiative of ETI
BioInformatics under MARBEF (an EC funded network of Excellence) and KeyToNature
(a project in the EC e-contentPlus Programme). This website provides open access
to scientific information on marine species, including identification keys, to
support the scientific community in activities such bio-monitoring programs, and
to provide students and other interested parties with general information on
marine biodiversity. The Marine Species Portal unlocks information on 9,875
marine species and 5,545 higher taxa, most with descriptions and illustrations.
A total of 7,932 taxa are keyed out in 52 identification keys. Furthermore
19,876 synonyms plus 2,782 vernacular names in English, and 8,389 names in 25
other languages, facilitate searching.

 

The information was compiled over a period of 10 years by a global network of
collaborating taxonomists started with UNESCO support. Currently 31 species
documentation projects are included; information on authors and other
contributors can be found for each section under the menu item 'credits'. Most
projects are also available on CD-ROM published in ETI's World Biodiversity
Database series. The information and identification systems presented here were
constructed using the Linnaeus II taxonomic data management package that is
downloadable from the ETI website. Differences in geographic coverage and
taxonomic treatments are the consequence of a decentralized, author-driven
mechanism that ETI set up for species documentation; a process that is still
ongoing.

 

The Marine Species Portal is very much a work in progress; other functionality
such as dynamic maps will be added. Your participation to improve, enhance and
increase the content of this site is much appreciated and encouraged! If you
have keys on missing taxa, hold better illustrations or more detailed
descriptions, don't hesitate to contribute! This is your site; we merely
facilitate the information sharing process! We are interested in your feedback
to improve the information service. 

 

Relevant URLS

Marine Species identification Portal: www.marinespecies.eu
<http://www.marinespecies.eu/>  

MarBEF: www.marbef.org <http://www.marbef.org/>   

KeyToNature: www.keytonature.eu <http://www.keytonature.eu/>  

ETI: www.eti.uva.nl <http://www.eti.uva.nl/>  

 

 

Dr. Peter H Schalk

Managing Director 

 

ETI BioInformatics

University of Amsterdam

Mauritskade 61

1092 AD Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Phone: +31 20 5257239

Fax: +31 20 5257238

VOIP at Skype: peterhschalk

Web:  <http://www.eti.uva.nl/> www.eti.uva.nl