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INOTAXA ('INtegrated Open TAXonomic Access') is a web workspace in which taxonomic descriptions,
identification keys, catalogues, names, specimen data, images and other resources can be accessed
simultaneously according to user-defined needs. It will allow access to data held in multiple
servers, and will use a distributed data model. If, in the future, the various nomenclatural
Codes permit web publication of new taxonomic names and acts, INOTAXA will be able to integrate
single descriptions placed on servers worldwide, so long as they are indexed through a registry
such as operated by GBIF. INOTAXA is built on an XML schema, taXMLit, that is interoperable with
similar data from other sources (e.g., taxonomic names, concepts and specimens). INOTAXA is
working with TDWG to ensure that standard schemas are used. These will allow external interoperability
with GBIF and access to GBIF-mediated data. INOTAXA is also working with ZooBank, and has the
potential to serve data in the format required to submit data directly. INOTAXA will provide
seamless access from the content to other systems, including GBIF, TROPICOS and Flora Mesoamericana.
In this pilot site, there are only limited data sources (Sharp & Champion 1889-1911, Biologia
Centrali-Americana (BCA), Coleoptera Volume 4, Part 3 and Hamilton, 2007, Omolabus Jekel in
north and central America (Coleoptera: Attelabidae)). These works overlap taxonomically and,
in addition, specimen data and some images from the Natural History Museum (London) have been
added for some taxa, including all of those which overlap. A gazetteer of insect localities
from the BCA has also been included.
This pilot has only part of the functionality planned for INOTAXA. Currently that means only
simple search functionality, although screens have been 'mocked up' with real data to show
the functionality planned for development by June 2008. Future plans will soon be available
at www.inotaxa.org.
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INOTAXA gratefully acknowledges support from the Atherton Seidell Fund of the
Smithsonian Institution; the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Institution; the Natural History Museum, London and Biodiversity Informatics
Standards (TDWG). Site developed by Information International Associates.
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