Building a Global Registration and Index System for Scientific Names and Types of Algae

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Scientific names of organisms are the key to biodiversity information, because all observations, as well as experimental and specimen data are linked to them. Fast and easy access to correct and accepted algal names is one of the main information requirement for algal research and in accordance with the demands of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants. Whereas for bacteria, animals, fungi, and higher plants in terms of scope and data-quality different registration approaches exist, no solution for algae has been established. To overcome these shortcomings an infrastructure project, tailored for both, community needs and scientific use and reuse of biodiversity data has been planned.The first objective is designing, developing, and sustainably implementing an on-line registration system for newly published algal names and their nomenclatural types to become part of an international system for the nomenclatural registration of organism names. A web-based user interface will allow direct data entry for new names and types data, standardized and checked by authorized personnel. A machine interface will provide the possibility of automatic registration for participating electronic journals. A web-interface for scientific end users will allow various queries to find registered names. The second objective is to complement this system by a prototype of a Taxonomic Index to Algal Names. The focus will be on achieving as much coverage of published names and their nomenclatural data as possible, thus supporting data quality in the registration process. The data content will be acquired either by a process of indexing partner databases or by importing information using the Common Data Model for the index. The data portal software and the service layer of the EDIT Platform will be used for human and machine access. All project results will be documented and made available as open source.