|
 |
Submitting Names & Associated Data to ITIS
ITIS partners have assemble scientific names and their classification to provide a taxonomy that is open
and can be delivered and integrated into biological data management systems. The data is for anyone needing a
referenced, expert validated species list with clearly established hierarchical relationships.
At ITIS we strive to communicate a comprehensive taxonomy of global species that enables biodiversity information
to be discovered, indexed, and connected across all human endeavors. To that end, below are the ITIS data
definitions. More information about ITIS data and their relationships is available in the ITIS Data Model.
- Scientific Name
- Author(s)
- Rank
- Usage
- Parent
- Associated Accepted Name
- Unacceptability Reason
- Data Quality Indicators
- Reference
- Vernaculars
- Geography
- Jurisdiction
Data Requirements
There are MANDATORY requirements for each scientific name submitted.
The omission of any of these may result in processing delays for your data.
These requirements are:
- Scientific Name
Definition: The
Latin name used to refer to a particular taxon of any rank (e.g., a subspecies,
a genus, a family, etc.). The taxon author is frequently included when
citing a scientific name, as it can help distinguish between different
uses of the same name (such as homonyms).
Data Elements:
-
Name: unit_ind1
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 1
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Indicator of an occurrence of a plant hybrid at the generic
level.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List: X
Validation Rules: Only applicable to kingdom Plantae.
-
Name: unit_name1
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 35
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The singular or first part of a scientifically accepted label
for an occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Validation Rules:
- For uninomials (1-part names) this will be the only name field entered.
- For binomials/polynomials, this field will be used for the first part of the name.
- The names in this position require the initial letter to be capitalized.
-
Name: unit_ind2
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 1
Default Nullity: NULL
Description; A category indicator positioned between the first and second
parts of a binomial/polynomial taxonomic name.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List: X
-
Name: unit_name2
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 35
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The second part of a scientifically accepted label for a binomial/polynomial
occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Validation Rules:
- For binomials, this will be the last field populated for the name.
- For trinomials and quadrinomials, this will be the second position populated.
-
Name: unit_ind3
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 7
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: A category indicator located within a polynomial taxonomic
name.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List:
- ssp. (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi) subsp. (Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa)
- var.
- subvar.
- f.
- subf.
- X
-
Name: unit_name3
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 35
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The third portion of a scientifically accepted label for a
polynomial occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Validation Rules:
- For trinomials this field will be populated
with the last part of the taxonomic name.
- For quadrinomials and hybrid
formulas this field will be populated with the third part of the name.
-
Name: unit_ind4
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 7
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: A category indicator located within a polynomial taxonomic
name.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List:
- ssp. (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi) subsp. (Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa)
- var.
- subvar.
- f.
- subf.
-
Name: unit_name4
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 35
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The fourth part of a scientifically accepted label for a polynomial
occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Validation Rules: This is the final position populated for quadrinomials
or hybrid formulas.
-
Name Examples:
- Aceraceae:
unit_name1=Aceraceae
- Rana pipiens:
unit_name1=Rana and unit_name2=pipiens
- Cuscuta indecora var. bifida:
unit_name1=Cuscuta, unit_name2=indecora,
unit_ind3=var. and unit_name3=bifida
- Acris gryllus dorsalis:
unit_name1=Acris, unit_name2=gryllus
and unit_name3=dorsalis
-
Further Comments:
Note that unit_ind4 and unit_name4 should rarely be used.
Under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
(ICZN) quadrinomials (not considering the use of a subgenus name) are
"unavailable", and normally would not be considered for addition
to ITIS. According to the International Code of Botanic Nomenclature (ICBN), while quadrinomials
(like hypothetical example Dichanthelium ovale var. addisonii subvar. americanum)
are used with some frequency in the literature, they are not considered
properly formed names. ITIS follows ICBN in re-forming such names within
the Code's constraints; this does not constitute a nomenclatural act.
The example given would be properly formed as Dichanthelium
ovale subvar. americanum, though it may still have the
variety as the parent. If necessary, ITIS will generally add quadrinomials
in synonymy.
Subgenera also pose a special case. ITIS stores subgenus
records with the genus in unit_name1 and the subgenus in unit_name2 (in
parentheses). Species in the subgenus are formed as usual (genus in unit_name1,
specific epithet in unit_name2), and given the subgenus record as the
"parent." The classification within the subgenus is thus maintained
via the hierarchical parent association.
Hybrid names can usually be accommodated, but would use
the name fields differently from other scientific names. Please contact
ITIS if you wish to submit hybrid names.
Back to top
- Author(s)
Definition The person(s) deemed
solely responsible for the original description and naming of the taxon.
Certain situations are handled differently under the ICBN (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi), the ICZN (Animalia and Protozoa), and the ICNB (Bacteria and Archaea). Full author information
is required at genus rank and below (i.e., species, etc.), and optional
above the rank of genus rank (i.e., families, etc.).
Input Rules Include
the full author information in one field or element.
Data Elements:
- Name: taxon_author
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 100
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The author(s) associated with the name of a taxon.
Table: Taxon_Authors_Lookup
Validation Rules:
- For authorities
associated with the kingdoms regulated by ICZN (Animalia and Protozoa), the author(s) and the actual date
of the publication in which the author(s) first described the taxon are
required.
- For authorities associated with the kingdoms regulated by ICBN (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi),
only author(s) is/are required. Note: Initially, authors/dates may not
be available for all records.
Input Notes:
- This element should specify the person(s) deemed solely responsible
for the original description and naming of a taxon.
- Required for all names
of genus or lower rank (genus, species, etc.); optional at family level
and above.
- Under the ICBN (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi)
- Revising author(s) responsible
for the transferal of a species (or a name at any rank of species or below)
to a different genus, or for certain rank changes (i.e., a subfamily name
elevated to family rank) are added after the name(s) of the original author(s),
which are then placed in parentheses.
- Author names generally follow standardized
abbreviations in these kingdoms, and names and abbreviations can be looked
up in Authors of Plant Names: A list of authors of scientific names of plants,
with recommended standard forms of their names, including abbreviations (Brummitt
& Powell, eds., 1992), or online at the International Plant Names Index (IPNI).
- The year of publication is usually not included, and is not required by
ITIS.
- Under the ICZN (Animalia and Protozoa)
- The year should be included after the name of last author.
- ITIS uses a comma and a space to separate the author(s)
and year.
- A revision in which a species or variety is transferred to
a genus other than the original genus will result in parentheses around
the author and year.
- The revising author is not cited.
- Author names are not abbreviated.
- Changing ranks within the same genus (i.e., from
subspecies to species) will not result in parenthetical authorship.
- The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (ICNB), governing Bacteria and Archaea, follows the tradition of including both original and revising authors (as with the ICBN), but years are also included.
Examples:
- Following the ICBN traditions:
- (Nash) Gould & C.A.Clark
- (Ashe) Freckmann
- Bickn.
- L.
- (Miq.) Seem.
- Following the ICZN tradition:
- (Quoy and Gaimard, 1832)
- Roper, 1968
- (Frussac, 1834)
- (Appellf, 1886)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Following the ICNB tradition (with commas):
- (Van Saceghem, 1915) Gordon, 1964
- Stackebrandt et al., 1995
- (Collins and Stackebrandt, 1989) Tamura and Yokota, 1994
- Ophel and Kerr, 1990
Back to top
- Rank
Definition: The particular level in a taxonomic
classification that a name occupies. For example,the taxonomic rank of
Homo sapiens is species. ITIS follows the ICBN and ICZN regarding what
ranks are recognized below the family level.
Input Rules:
- ITIS uses internal identifiers to associate names with ranks.
- For the purposes of submitting data, the rank name is needed.
Data Elements:
-
Name: rank_name
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length:15
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The label associated with the specific level of a taxonomic hierarchy.
Table: Taxonomic_Unit_Types
Values List:
Plant/Chromista Ranks
|
Fungi Ranks
|
Animal Ranks
|
Bacteria/Archaea Ranks
|
Protozoa Ranks
|
Kingdom
|
Kingdom
|
Kingdom
|
Kingdom
|
Kingdom
|
Subkingdom
|
Subkingdom
|
Subkingdom
|
Subkingdom
|
Subkingdom
|
Infrakingdom
|
|
Infrakingdom
|
|
Infrakingdom
|
Superdivision
|
|
Superphylum
|
|
|
Division
|
Division
|
Phylum
|
Phylum
|
Phylum
|
Subdivision
|
Subdivision
|
Subphylum
|
Subphylum
|
Subphylum
|
Infradivision
|
|
Infraphylum
|
|
Infraphylum
|
Parvdivision (Chromista only)
|
|
|
|
Parvphylum
|
Superclass
|
|
Superclass
|
Superclass
|
Superclass
|
Class
|
Class
|
Class
|
Class
|
Class
|
Subclass
|
Subclass
|
Subclass
|
Subclass
|
Subclass
|
Infraclass
|
|
Infraclass
|
Infraclass
|
Infraclass
|
Superorder
|
Superorder
|
Superorder
|
Superorder
|
Superorder
|
Order
|
Order
|
Order
|
Order
|
Order
|
Suborder
|
Suborder
|
Suborder
|
Suborder
|
Suborder
|
|
|
Infraorder
|
Infraorder
|
Infraorder
|
|
|
Section
|
|
|
|
|
Subsection
|
|
|
|
|
Superfamily
|
Superfamily
|
Superfamily
|
Family
|
Family
|
Family
|
Family
|
Family
|
Subfamily
|
Subfamily
|
Subfamily
|
Subfamily
|
Subfamily
|
Tribe
|
Tribe
|
Tribe
|
Tribe
|
Tribe
|
Subtribe
|
Subtribe
|
Subtribe
|
Subtribe
|
Subtribe
|
Genus
|
Genus
|
Genus
|
Genus
|
Genus
|
Subgenus
|
Subgenus
|
Subgenus
|
Subgenus
|
Subgenus
|
Section
|
Section
|
|
|
|
Subsection
|
Subsection
|
|
|
|
Species
|
Species
|
Species
|
Species
|
Species
|
Subspecies
|
Subspecies
|
Subspecies
|
Subspecies
|
Subspecies
|
Variety
|
Variety
|
Variety
|
|
Variety
|
|
|
Form
|
|
|
Subvariety
|
Subvariety
|
Race
|
|
|
|
|
Stirp
|
|
|
Form
|
Form
|
Morph
|
|
|
|
|
Aberration
|
|
|
Subform
|
Subform
|
|
|
|
Further Comments:
- If you wish to submit names that have ranks other than these, please contact ITIS.
Back to top
- Usage
Definition: Current standing of a scientific name.
Input Rules:
- Each scientific name is categorized as in current use or in synonymy.
- For Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi, usage can be "accepted" or "not accepted."
- For Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa, usage can be "valid" or "invalid"
- If the submission is categorized as not accepted or invalid,
an additional data element providing a reason is required.
This "unacceptability reason" provides further
clarification regarding why a name is placed in synonymy.
Data Elements:
-
Name: name_usage
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 12
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: Current standing of an occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List:
- accepted (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi)
- not accepted (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi)
- valid (Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa)
- invalid (Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa)
Validation Rules: Choice lists are dependent upon the
values associated with a kingdom.
Back to top
- Parent
Definition:
An ITIS term denoting
the taxon that is the next highest level from the subject valid or accepted
taxon. The parent of a species is usually a genus; the parent
of a genus is usually a family, and so on. This parent-child linkage
between records is the basis for the classification hierarchy in ITIS.
Notes:
ITIS will need to connect
your submitted name(s) to existing names before it (they) can be added
to the ITIS database. If the direct parent of a given name in your list
is not in ITIS, then we would need to look for its parent at the next
higher level, and so on, until a connection can be made to the existing
hierarchy in ITIS. All the intervening names will need to be added to
the ITIS database along with your name; all pertinent names should be
included in your submission. Please add the parent of any name you cannot
find in ITIS (including parents of parents, etc.) to your list. There
is rarely more than one intervening name to add, but it is possible that
more would be needed.
Input Rules
- All valid/accepted names must have one and only one "parent".
- The format for the "parent"
entry in a given record is to include the full name AND author (if applicable)
of the parent in one field.
Examples:
- Species=Homo sapiens;
enter parent=Homo Linnaeus, 1758
- Genus=Arum; enter parent=Araceae (this
family does not have an author in ITIS)
Further Comments:
- If you are unable to provide the parent with your submission,
please include one or more fields for whatever classification hierarchy
information you have, or indicate the group to which the named taxon is
a member (i.e., bird, mayfly, mushroom, etc.). These bits of information
will help us identify appropriate specialists and references we might
consult for verification. Again, incomplete submissions usually take
longer to process.
- "Incertae sedis" (uncertain seat/position) is
a special circumstance where a name is considered valid or accepted but
is of uncertain position in a classification (i.e., it is known to be
in a particular order, but the family it should be assigned to is not
known). This circumstance occurs in groups that are poorly known or for
taxa that are particularly difficult to classify. If you wish to submit
names that will involve the use of this concept, please contact ITIS.
Back to top
- Associated Accepted Name
Definition:
- The scientific name, including author, of the valid or accepted taxon identified
as the currently accepted name used for a given invalid or not accepted
name.
- Each name that is in synonymy (junior synonyms, obsolete
combinations, etc.) must be connected to one accepted or valid name.
- The concept of "parent" is not applicable in such cases.
Notes
- ITIS bases the "accepted name" linkage upon the current identification
of the type specimen to which the name is anchored.
- For all names from
superfamily down to the lowest ranks, there should be a type (a specimen)
to which the name is ultimately attached.
- For higher ranks, there is a type taxon, but ultimately these too can
be connected to a single specimen. The type specimen upon which the species
name "Corallus enydris" was based is now identified as
a member of the species "Corallus hortulanus."
Thus, the "accepted name" for Corallus
enydris is Corallus hortulanus.
Input Rules
As with "parent" links (see above), the full scientific name and author
values from the parent record must be combined into one field in your submission
file, in this case under the "accepted name" field.
Back to top
- Unacceptability Reason
Definition:
An explanation regarding why a given scientific name is judged to be invalid
or not accepted. Unacceptability reasons vary among kingdoms.
Data Elements:
- Name: unacceptability_reason
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length 24
Default Nullity:NULL
Description:The cause for an occurrence of Taxonomic Units being identified
as not accepted/invalid under the usage element.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values List:
Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa
|
Definition
|
junior synonym
|
The later established of two or more names of the same rank used
to denote the same taxon. For species, the epithet and author(s)
are different from those of the accepted name.
|
original name/combination
|
The form or combination (i.e., genus + species) of a name as published
in the original description (= senior synonym). The specific or
subspecific epithet is the same as that of the accepted name (allowing
for gender/form changes) and the author(s) and date are never bounded
by parentheses. For any given accepted name, there should be only one
original name/combination.
|
subsequent name/combination
|
The form or combination (i.e., genus + species) of a name that
is different from both the original and the currently accepted combinations
(= names) and is used to denote the same species or subspecies.
The specific or subspecific epithet (allowing for gender/form changes)
and the author(s) and date are the same as for the accepted name
(though the use of parentheses may vary). Essentially, this will
be the case for any combination with the same epithet and authorship
that is neither the original nor the currently accepted name.
|
junior homonym
|
The latter published of two or more
names with the same spelling and used to refer to different nominal
taxa (family and genus group names) or for species and subspecies,
to different nominal taxa that were either originally (primary homonym)
or subsequently (secondary homonym) combined with the same generic
name. To be available, a junior homonym requires a replacement name
and the replacement name is based on the same type specimen.
|
homonym & junior synonym
|
One of two or more names of the
same rank and with the same spelling that were used to denote the
same or different taxa. The older name (= senior homonym) may be
available, or, for this specific unacceptability reason, may itself
be the synonym of an older name for a different taxon. No replacement
name is needed for a homonym that is also a junior synonym.
|
unavailable, database artifact
|
A name that is misspelled in the
ITIS file, cannot be verified by any reference or expert, and likely
resulted from a keystroke error, or any other database artifact
(e.g., place-holders, common name entered as scientific name, etc.)
that originated within NODC or ITIS.
|
unavailable, literature misspelling
|
A name that has been misspelled
in the literature (i.e., not a database artifact).
|
unavailable, incorrect orig.[inal] spelling
|
A name that was incorrectly spelled in the original description;
such errors must be corrected (emended) according to the Code of
Zoological Nomenclature. A name with such a spelling is "unavailable"
in that original, incorrect form.
|
unavailable, suppressed by ruling
|
A name that has been suppressed
(made unavailable) for use in referring to a specific taxon by
a ruling of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.
|
unavailable, nomen nudum
|
A name published without sufficient
descriptive information to satisfy the criteria of availability.
|
unavailable, other
|
A name that is unavailable for a
variety of other reasons (e.g., non-binomial, anonymous after 1950,
etc.) not covered in the previous list. This is essentially a catch-all
category for other reasons for unavailability.
|
unjustified emendation
|
A change or correction (emendation) in the spelling of a name that
was shown subsequently not to have been needed, to be unsupported
by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, or to have
been improperly published.
|
unnecessary replacement
|
A replacement name that was not needed,
either because the original name was not a homonym or because a prior substitute
name was already available. In instances where the replacement name itself was
unavailable, use 'unavailable, other' or 'other, see comments' as the reason.
|
nomen oblitum
|
A reversal of precedence where a
senior (older) name that has been forgotten (lost) is judged to
apply to a taxon that has been known for many years by a younger
name. The older name is formally placed in the synonymy of the younger
name; the older name remains available, but does not take precedence.
The junior name, which has taken priority, may be called a "nomen
protectum."
|
misapplied
|
An indication sometimes used in the literature to refer to a misapplied
name or a name incorrectly applied to a species (i.e., a misidentification).
Use of this reason is strongly discouraged in ITIS (the name may
be valid or accepted, just not as applied).
|
pro parte
|
An designation sometimes used in the literature to indicate that
only some of the specimens referred to by a specific name in a specific
reference actually represent that taxon. This may happen in a type
series (syntypes) and can be troublesome if a lectotype has never
been designated. This may be a misidentification or a consequence
of incomplete knowledge. Use of this reason is strongly discouraged
in ITIS.
|
other, see comments
|
Any other reason relative to unacceptability not covered above;
typically a Comment is used to specify relevant issues. If you
wish to do this, please contact ITIS at the email address or telephone
number given above.
|
nomen dubium
|
A name having uncertain application because it is impossible to
establish the taxon to which it should be referred. If you want
to include a nomen dubium" in a submission, please contact
ITIS at the email address or telephone number given above.
|
Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi
|
Definition
|
synonym
|
One of two or more names applied to the same taxon, but not to
the same type (heterotypic); also used for non-current combinations
of the accepted epithet (e.g., a usage placing the same species
in another genus). For names in synonymy that ITIS would accept
in a submission, this would be the only common unacceptability reason.
|
homonym (illegitimate)
|
Two or more identical epithets or combinations denoting different
taxa of the family, genus or species-group, or of species or subspecies
within the same genus (same name, different type). This is one
of two kinds of illegitimate names, which must be rejected for the
purpose of priority.
|
superfluous renaming (illegitimate)
|
A second validly published epithet applied to the same type as
an earlier name (same type, different name). This is one of two
kinds of illegitimate names, which must be rejected for the purpose
of priority.
|
rejected name
|
A name which was explicitly rejected in the ICBN Appendices II-IV.
Such names can be noted as "nom. rej." in the literature.
|
invalidly published, nomen nudum
|
A name published without sufficient
descriptive information to satisfy the criteria of availability
or valid publication.
|
invalidly published, other
|
Any case of "invalid publication" besides nomen nudum.
This also includes names appearing in specified ranks within oppressed
publications (Appendix V of the ICBN covers "opera utique rejicienda,"
or "entirely oppressed works").
|
misapplied
|
A name inappropriately applied to a specimen or distribution (for
example, using the name of an endemic European species for a North
American specimen). Such uses occur in checklists and other lists
at times. Inclusion in ITIS submissions is strongly discouraged.
Note that the name may be accepted, just not as applied in this
case.
|
pro parte
|
Used in nomenclature to indicate that only part of the taxon (excluding
the nomenclatural type) is being referred to. Inclusion in ITIS
submissions is discouraged.
|
horticultural
|
A special kind of name for a plant that may or may not be found
in nature. There is a separate nomenclatural code for horticulture
that is not addressed in ITIS at present.
|
database artifact
|
Generally assigned to NODC or ITIS data that can't be verified
by any reference or expert. May represent a keystroke error by
NODC or ITIS, or a duplicate record. NOT used in ITIS submissions.
|
orthographic variant (misspelling)
|
Two or more different spellings
of the same name.
|
other, see comments
|
This is reserved for anything that does not fall under the categories
listed above. Please contact ITIS at the email address or telephone
number above if you wish to use this reason.
|
Validation Rules: This element is required when usage is
set to not accepted (Plantae, Chromista, and Fungi) or invalid (Animalia, Bacteria, Archaea, and Protozoa).
Only those reasons for a particular kingdom should be displayed.
Back to top
- Data Quality Indicators
Definition Depending on the rank of the scientific name each name record has one to three data
quality indicators associated with it.
Data Elements:
Name: credibility_rtng
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 40
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The Record Credibility Rating is populated for all name records. It is a
rating determined by criteria established by the ITIS Taxonomic Work Group reflecting the level
of review of the entire records data elements and the perceived level of accuracy of the records
scientific name and associated attributes.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values list:
- verified standards met - All data elements in the record and the position of the scientific name
in the hierarchy are perceived to be accurate and are supported by one or more credible references
(e.g., publication, database, expert, data steward).
- verified minimum standards - met Data in the record are incomplete and/or
contain accuracy, placement, or nomenclatural issues, or are from a non-peer reviewed source.
Data issues cant be resolved without detailed consultation with systematists and/or the
pertinent literature.
- unverified - Data in the record are of unknown quality (legacy data).
Name: completeness_rtng
SQL Data Type: CHAR
Length: 10
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The Global Species Completeness is populated at the rank of genus and above.
It is a rating indicating whether all of the known species are represented in ITIS.
Table: Taxonomic_Units
Values list:
- complete - All data elements in the record and the position of the scientific name
in the hierarchy are perceived to be accurate and are supported by one or more credible references
(e.g., publication, database, expert, data steward).
- partial - Not all of the known, named, modern species (extant or recently
extinct) of the group are represented in ITIS.
- unknown - It is uncertain whether or not all of the known, named, modern
species (extant or recently extinct) of the group are represented in ITIS.
Name: currency_rating
SQL Data Type: CHAR
Length: 7
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Latest Record Review is populated at the rank of genus or above. The year
a record was reviewed by ITIS. See also cited references for their currency.
Values list:
- A date in the form of a year, such as 2022, or unknown.
Back to top
- References for scientific name
Definition A publication, expert, or other source that provides
information relatingto a name or associated information.
Input Rules: Entry of references may be performed in either of two ways:
- by providing individual data fields as specified below
- by entry of an abbreviated citation (e.g. Wilson and Reeder, 1993)
in one field for each record with the full
citation provided separately for later substitution.
Publications Data Elements:
Name: reference_author
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 100
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: Writer(s) of a printed reference.
Table: Publications
Input Notes:
- Include the author(s) and editor(s) of the publication.
- The first author's name should be inverted (last name first,
see examples below).
- If initials are included with the author then use a period after
them and separate multiple initials with a period and a space (as
in W. E. Bemis, not WE Bemis or W.E. Bemis).
- Separate the list with commas, with ", and " before the
final author.
- If editors are to be cited, they should follow the last author,
after inserting a " / " (space-slash-space).
- The last editor should be followed by ", ed." or ",
eds." (comma-space-ed(s)-period).
- Editor names should be handled similar to author names, inverting the
first editor, separating multiple editors with commas, and adding ",
and " before the last editor.
- If you exceed the number of allotted characters in the author field,
type "et al." after the last complete name you can fit.
- Diacritical marks (è, à, È, À, etc.) are supported by ITIS.
Examples:
- Bemis, William
- Bemis, William E.
- Bemis, W. E.
- Bemis, William E., Eric K. Findeis, and Lance Grande
- Hasle, Grethe R., and Erik E. Syvertsen / Carmelo R. Tomas, ed.
- Bemis, William E. / King, F. Wayne, ed.
- Bemis, William E. / King, F. Wayne, and Russell L. Burke, eds.
- Roper, Clyde F. E., C. C. Lu, and Michael Vecchione / Voss, N. A., M. Veccione et al., eds.
Name: title
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 255
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The identifying name given an article contained in a printed
reference.
Table: publications
Input Notes:
- This is the identifying name of a contribution within a printed reference,
such as an article contained in a journal or a chapter in a book.
- Do not use except for references within a larger printed work.
- Generally, follow the reference's format for capitalization; however,
if the reference uses all upper-case, then convert the capitalization to
only the first letters of the first word, scientific names, proper nouns, and
appropriate words.
- Secondary titles should be separated from the primary titles by a colon (:)
and two spaces.
- If the title exceeds 255 characters, truncate it to fit and
place three periods (...) after the last complete word that fits (add
the full title in the publication comment field so it can be recovered
later).
- Diacritical marks (è, à, È, À, etc.) are supported by ITIS.
Examples:
- Chapter 5: Factors affecting activity in Cnemidophorus
- On the Vestimentifera, new phylum: Six new species, and other taxa,
from hydrothermal vents and elsewhere
- The Gladius in Teuthoid Systematics
- The land and sea mammals of Middle America and the West Indies
Name: publication_name
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 255
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The identifying title of the printed reference, including
volume and number, if applicable.
Table: publication
Input Notes:
- This is the identifying name of an overall printed reference
(such as a book or journal). The name should be written out
completely (do not abbreviate).
- For capitalization, generally, follow the reference's format unless it uses
all upper-case, in which case convert the capitalization to only the first letters
of the first word, scientific names, proper nouns, and appropriate words.
- Secondary names should be separated from the primary name by a colon (:) and two
spaces; volumes, numbers, etc., should appear after the name of the book or journal,
preceded by a comma & space, as vol. 3, no. 5, Second Edition, etc.
- If the publication name exceeds 255 characters, truncate it to fit and place three
periods (...) after the last complete word that fits (but do include needed
volume/number info!); if the name is truncated in this manner, add the full publication
information in the publication comment field so it can be recovered later.
- Diacritical marks (è, à, È, À, etc.) are supported by ITIS.
Examples:
- Biology of Whiptail Lizards (Genus Cnemidophorus)
- Fishes of the World, Third Edition
- A Catalogue of the Portland Museum
- Aquatic Oligochaeta of the World
- Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, vol. 85
Name: listed_pub_date
SQL Data Type: DATE
Length: 10
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: The date printed on a journal or other printed reference.
Table: Publications
Input Notes:
- Format as DD/MM/YYYY.
- If the day and month are not known or not applicable, enter as 01/01/YYYY.
- See actual_pub_date for examples.
Name: publisher
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 80
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Producer of a printed reference.
Table: Publications
Input Notes:
- Applies to books only
- The publisher's name (and affiliation, if appropriate).
- Do not abbreviate.
- Diacritical marks (è, à, È, À, etc.) are supported by ITIS.
Examples:
- Smithsonian Institution Press
- The publisher's name (and affiliation, if appropriate).
- Sears Foundation for Marine Research, Yale University
- The publisher's name (and affiliation, if appropriate).
- Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior
Name: actual_pub_date
SQL Data Type: DATE
Length: 10
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The true date
on which a journal or other written reference was published. It may or
may not correspond with the publication's listed date.
Table: Publications
Validation Rules:
- This date should be later than or equal to the listed date if
the listed date is populated.
- It should also correspond to the date associated with the taxon_author
if this is the reference in which the subject taxon is described.
- If the day or month are missing, they should default to 01.
Input Notes:
- The date that represents the actual date
of publication.
- It may or may not correspond with the publication's listed
date.
- It is generally later than or equal to the listed date, though there
are rare exceptions.
- "Pre-prints"(normally identical to the
final print, but printed before the formal printing for various reasons),
if they must be entered, will generally have an earlier 'actual' than
'listed' date, and should be entered with identical information to the
final print's, but with the different 'actual' date.
- Format as DD/MM/YYYY.
- If the day and month are not known or not applicable, enter as 01/01/YYYY.
Examples:
- 12 September, 1997 should be written as: 12/09/1997
- September, 1997 should be written as: 01/09/1997
- The year 1997 should be written as: 01/01/1997
Name: pub_place
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 40
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Location of the publisher of a printed reference.
Table: Publications
Input Notes
- Applies to books only.
- The location of the publisher, including country.
- The location should be written out as city, state, country
(assuming they are given or can be deduced).
- If multiple cities are listed, use the first one listed.
- A comma and then a space should separate all items.
Examples:
- Rome, Italy
- Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Name: isbn
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 35,0
Default Nullity: NULL
Description:
- International Standard Book Number - a unique numeric identifier for books
- older publications
and some foreign books do not have assigned ISBN numbers.
- The ISBN may
identify a particular year or monograph in an ongoing serial or series.
Table: Publications
Input Notes:
- The International Standards Book Number
(ISBN) is an internationally accepted code printed in publications that
is unique to a title and edition of a book, or a monographic publication
published or produced by a specific publisher or producer.
- There are four parts to an ISBN: a group identifier, publishers prefix,
title number, and a check-digit.
Examples:
0–00000–000–0
Name: issn
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 35,0
Default Nullity: NULL
Description:
- International Standard Serial Number — a unique numeric identifier for periodicals
- Older journals and some foreign publications do not have assigned ISSN numbers.
- The ISSN may identify an overall serial.
Table: publications
Input Notes:
- The International Standards Serial Number
(ISSN) is an internationally accepted identification code printed in serial
publications.
- An eight-digit number consisting of seven digits plus a
check-digit that enables a computer to recognize when a number is incorrectly
cited.
- This digit may be an "X", otherwise the number is fully
numeric.
Examples:
0000–0000
Name: pages
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 15
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Page numbers within a printed reference to which the specific
citation refers.
Table: Publications
Input Notes:
- This should include the total number of
pages in the book.
- If a book is in two or more volumes, and the second,
third, fourth etc. volume has page numbers that begin at the end of the
preceding volume, then include the continuous page numbers.
- If the publication
is an original description, then the page number of the specific instance
of the name should be cited.
- If preface/foreword pagination is desired,
this may be included.
Examples:
- Number-Number: 1–250
- Number-Number: 251–500
(The pages might appear like this for a volume other than the first)
- Number: 250
- Roman numeral + Number: iv + 267
Name: pub_comment
SQL Data Type: TEXT
Length: 500
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Remarks associated with the printed reference cited.
Table: Publications
Input Notes This field is used for any pertinent information
about the publication.
Examples:
- As of 05-Feb-1998, this reference has yet to be published
- Year 1930b. 18 figures, 2 plates.
- Year 1823-1831. 4 volumes, atlas [dates of publication listed in Isis, 1836:291]
Expert Data Elements:
Name: expert
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 100
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The name of the taxonomic expert providing credence to the
taxonomy, nomenclature or attributes of a Taxonomic Units' occurrence
for the ITIS taxon.
Table: Experts
Input Notes
- An expert in the particular field of study
who is a source for a name.
- First name, middle initial and last name.
- This may vary according to the expert's preference.
Examples:
- Wayne X. Starnes
- Richard C. Brusca
Name: exp_comment
SQL Data Type: TEXT
Length: 500
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Remarks noted by or associated with a taxonomic expert who
is providing credence to the taxonomy, nomenclature or attributes of a
Taxonomic Units' occurrence.
Table: experts
Input Notes:
- This should include contact information for the expert.
- Include, where possible:
Title of Expert, Name of Expert's Organization, P.O Box (if applicable),
City, State, Zip Code, and Country.
- Do not include linefeed/return characters
in the comments field.
Examples:
- Research Curator of Fishes, North
Carolina State Museum of Natural Science, PO Box 000, Raleigh, North
Carolina, 00000, USA
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology,
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
Other Source Data Elements:
-
Name: source_type
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 10
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: The designation of the kind of supplier providing information
to the ITIS (other than a person or publication); e.g. database.
Table: Other_Sources
Input
Notes: This should reflect the type of source
that is associated with the record.
Examples
database,
website, CD‑ROM
-
Name: source
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 64
Default Nullity: NOT
NULL
Description: The name of the supplier of information, other than a person
or publication, to the ITIS.
Table: Other_Sources
Input Notes This
should reflect from where the source came
Examples
NODC,
Smithsonian, PLANTS, Zoological Record
-
Name: version
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 10
Default Nullity: NOT
NULL
Description: Number, date or other identifying characteristic of the source
which indicates the functionality and/or data at a point in time in the
life of the system, database, etc.
Table: Other_Sources
Input Notes This
should reflect the specific version of the source associated with record;
this may be cited by the source as a number (version 1.0) or a date (revised
18-Feb-00). Note that there is sometimes no explicit version number provided;
if no useful version information is available, use version number 0 (zero),
as this is currently a required field.
Examples
1.0,
18/02/1999
-
Name: source_comment
SQL Data Type: TEXT
Length: 500
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Remarks associated with the provider of information to the
ITIS (other than a person or publication).
Table: Other_Sources
Input
Notes: Comments may include further detailed information
on the source, if appropriate. If the source is a resource on the Internet,
you can provide the address (URL) here.
Example
"This
was written as X on the website of Y"
Further Comments:
Generally, ITIS requires one or more references that support the submittal.
You may wish to use a short identifying phrase (Wilson & Reeder, 1993)
in your data file, and provide the complete bibliographic citation separately.
We can add the full data in place of the shorthand. If you are dealing
with original publications of a name (i.e., the reference in which a name
was first published), please include a field or column to indicate that
fact. In addition to traditional printed references (journal articles,
books, etc.), ITIS can store other kinds of references. Experts and other
sources, such as websites and databases are of interest to ITIS. Please
contact ITIS if you intend to use any of these non-traditional references,
or if you have any questions about how ITIS handles references and citations.
If you cannot provide a reference for
the name, any context you might have could help (i.e., it is from a stream
survey from the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.).
Back to top
-
Vernacular (common) names
Definition: a name other than a scientific name that is commonly
used to refer to a species or other taxon. Examples are rainbow trout,
red-winged blackbird, fence lizard, etc. The language (e.g., English,
etc.) must be indicated for each vernacular name.
Data Elements:
-
Name: vernacular_name
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 80
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: A common name associated with an occurrence of Taxonomic Units.
Table: Vernaculars
-
Name: language
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 15
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Native language from which the vernacular name originates;
e.g. American, English, Russian, Spanish, etc.
Table: Vernaculars
-
Name: approved_ind
SQL Data Type: CHARACTER
Length: 1
Default Nullity: NULL
Description: Designation identifying those vernacular names authorized
for use by regulation, statute, etc.
Table: Vernaculars
Values List: Y/N If selected, the indicator will be set to true.
Validation Rules: If
the approved_ind is set to true, then the reference identifying the vernacular
must be entered.
Further Comments:
- ITIS tries to adhere to the standards for capitalization
within specialist communities, where they exist. Otherwise we generally
only capitalize proper nouns.
- Language (of vernacular) — It can be exceedingly difficult
and time-consuming (and often futile!) to categorize some vernaculars
in terms of language. They often are transliterated and further altered
over time such that they no longer correspond to any language, per se.
Therefore, where there is no clear indication of language for a vernacular,
ITIS categorizes a vernacular according to the language of the reference in
which it is found.
Back to top
-
Geographic/Distribution information
Definition: ITIS supports inclusion of coarse distribution information.
Data Elements:
-
Name: geographic_value
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 40
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: Label given a geographic
division as identified by the Taxonomic Work Group.
Table: Geographic_Division
Values List
Terrestrial and Freshwater
|
Geographic Value
|
Geographic Area
|
North America
|
The United States (excluding Hawaii), Canada and Greenland.
|
Middle America
|
US-Mexico border south to Colombia-Panama
border (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, Panama).
|
Caribbean
|
The islands of the Caribbean: Bahamas, Puerto
Rico, Cuba, Virgin Islands (UK & US), Jamaica, Haiti, Cayman Islands,
Dominican Republic, Trinidad-Tobago, the Lesser Antilles including Aruba,
Curacao, the Leeward Islands (Antigua-Barbuda, Anguilla, Aves, Guadeloupe,
Montserrat, Antilles, St.Kitts-Nevis, St. Martin-St. Barthelemy) and
the Windward Islands (Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia,
St. Vincent) and Bermuda.
|
South America
|
From the Panama-Columbia border south (Columbia,
Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,
Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile) including the adjacent islands of
the Galapagos, Falklands, San Felix, Trindade, Fernando de Noronha and
Juan Fernandez Islands.
|
Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China)
|
Europe (Portugal,
Spain, the Azores, and Madeira islands, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands,
Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Italy,
Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Poland, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia,
Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia (Serbian Republic and
the Republic of Monte Negro), Macedonia, Slovenia, Crotia, Bosnia), the
United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland), Ireland,
Iceland, Russia and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union
(Georgia, Azerbaijain, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan,
Kazakhstan, Ukraune, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), the Arabian
Peninsula (Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, South
Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain), the Middle East (Iraq,
Iran, Afghanistan), and Mongolia.
|
Africa
|
The continent of Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Libya,
Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Senegal,
the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Burkina, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory
Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Congo, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Malawi,
Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Republic
of South Africa, Lesotho) including Madagascar, the Seychelles, Mauritius,
and the Comers islands off the south east coast of Africa and the islands
of Sao Tome, Principe, Canaries, Cape Verde, Ascension, St. Helena, and
Tristan de Cunha off the west coast of Africa.
|
Southern Asia
|
China, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the
Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, North Korea, South Korea,
Japan, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines,
Borneo, Indonesia, Singapore.
|
Australia
|
Australia including Tasmania, Macquarie, Lord
Howe, and Norfolk Island, the Island of New Guinea including Irian Jaya
and Papua New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides
(Vanuatu), New Caledonia, New Zealand including Chatham, Bounty, Antipodes,
Aukland and Campbell islands.
|
Oceania
|
the Pacific islands - Micronesia,
Polynesia, Palau, Guam, Truk, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Midway Islands,
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tuamotu, Line Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu,
Phoenix Islands, Easter Island, the Marqueses, Tahiti, the Hawaiian
Islands.
|
Marine (technically also includes Terrestrial and Freshwater habitats)
|
Geographic Value
|
Geographic Area
|
Antarctica/ Southern Ocean |
Antarctic Continent and islands,
and ocean below 40 degrees South latitude, not including the tip of South
America or Australia. |
Marine (including shoreline between high & low tides)
|
Geographic Value
|
Geographic Area
|
Eastern Atlantic Ocean |
Marine habitats along the western
coast of Europe and Africa to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including the Mediterranean
and Caspian Seas, and littoral habitats along the continental coasts and
inclusive islands. |
Western Atlantic Ocean |
Marine habitats west of the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge to the eastern shore of North, Middle, and South America including
the waters of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and littoral habitats along
the continental coasts and inclusive islands. |
Indo-West Pacific |
Marine habitats of the Indian Ocean
including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf and the Western Pacific Ocean
west to and including the waters around Hawaii and Easter Island. |
East Pacific |
Marine habitats in the Western Pacific east
of Hawaii and Easter Island to and including the littoral habitats of
the west coasts of North, Middle and South America and the associated
off shore islands out to the Galapagos. |
Back to top
-
Jurisdiction information
Definition ITIS supports the
inclusion of information designating which of several North American political
jurisdictions of interest to the U.S. and Canada the species is found.
For each jurisdiction, the species can be assigned a value of "Native,"
"Introduced," "Native & Introduced," or "Incidental"
(the species has been recorded for the jurisdiction, but is regarded as
not established or naturalized, such as with a single exotic bird blown
in by a storm, or escaped from captivity).
Data Elements:
-
Name: jurisdiction_value
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 30
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: Label signifying a US jurisdictional unit as defined by the TWG, and Canada.
Table: Jurisdiction
Values List:
Jurisdiction Value
|
Jurisdiction Area
|
Continental US |
The 48 contiguous US states between Mexico and Canada. |
Alaska |
The state of Alaska including St. Lawrence Island
and the Aleutian Islands. |
Hawaii |
The state of Hawaii (northwestern island chain from
Pearl and Hermes Reef to Nihoa (sometimes called Bird Islands) and islands
of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii. |
Central Pacific Territories |
The Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis
Island, Johnston Atoll (Johnston Island), Kingman Reef, Palmyra, Midway
Islands, and Wake Island. |
Caribbean Territories |
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
US Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas, and small surrounding islands),
and Navassa Island. |
Canada |
The 12 provinces and territories. |
Mexico |
All 31 states and 1 federal district. |
-
Name: origin
SQL Data Type: VARCHAR
Length: 19
Default Nullity: NOT NULL
Description: Indication of whether an occurrence of Taxonomic Units is native
and/or introduced to a US jurisdictional unit.
Table: Jurisdiction
Values List:
-
Native
-
Introduced
-
Native & Introduced
-
Incidental
-
Native & Extirpated
-
Native & Extinct
Back to top
|
 |