The document discusses challenges related to the use of scientific names in biodiversity informatics. It outlines objectives for the Global Names Architecture (GNA) to address issues like name variations, synonyms, homonyms, and differing taxonomic views. The GNA aims to create a complete index of all scientific names linked to species information, reconciled to an authoritative nomenclatural dictionary. It also aims to provide multiple taxonomic classifications and lists that are openly accessible and can effectively organize species data to support discovery.

1. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY David Remsen, Senior Programme Officer, GBIF 15 September 2009, Biodiversity Informatics WWW.GBIF.ORG Global Names Architecture A Rationale Brief History Components

2. Biodiversity Information: A focus on taxa All accumulated information of a species is tied to a scientific name, a name that serves as a link between what has been learned in the past and what we today add to the body of knowledge. - Grimaldi & Engel, 2005, Evolution of the Insects Biodiversity Informatics: Creation, Curation, Discovery, Delivery of biodiversity information

3. A name that serves as a link to what has been learned in the past… From T.E. Glover, The Fishes of Southwestern Japan, c.1870

4. A name that serves as a link to what has been learned in the past… Unlike many other domains of science, historic publications have continued importance.

5. … and that we today add to the body of knowledge. From T.E. Glover, The Fishes of Southwestern Japan, c.1870

6. GBIF index 177 million records (> 5%/month) G igabytes of text (~100 now) All data mobilized through GBIF

7. Biodiversity Information Species information “tied” to scientific names

11. Variations in name spelling Loligo pealeii Loligo pealii Loligo pealei

13. Agalinus paupercula borealis Agalinus pauperculum borealis Agalinis paupercula var. Borealis Agalinus pauperculum var. borealis Agalinus paupercula var. borealis Agalinus paupercula var. borealis Pennell Agalinus paupercula Britton var. borealis Pennell Agalinus paupercula (Gray) Britt. var. borealis Pennell Agalinis paupercula (A.Gray) Britton var. borealis Pennell Agalinus paupercula (Gray) Britton var. borealis (Pennell) Zenkert 1934 Gerardia paupercula borealis Gerardia paupercula var. borealis Gerardia paupercula var. borealis (Pennell) Deam Gerardia paupercula (Gray) Britt. var. borealis (Pennell) Deam Gerardia paupercula (Gray) Britt. var. borealis (Pennell) Deam Gerardia paupercula (A. Gray) Britton var. borealis (Pennell) Deam Gerardia paupercula (A. Gray) Britton subsp. borealis (Pennell) Pennell Gerardia paupercula (Gray) Britt. ssp. borealis (Pennell) Pennell Gerardia paupercula Britton ssp. borealis Pennell Many ways to correctly spell a name Should GBIF/EoL/BHL display all/one/some?

16. Don’t pass on bad information. How can we determine the status of the names we discover in content that we serve?

17. Nomenclatural changes impact search and retrieval Where can I find out these names are related? Zoological Code doesn’t track recombinations Botanical Code does.

18. Nomenclatural changes impact search and retrieval

19. Homonyms Peranema – the fern Peranema – the euglenid How many Peranema are there? How can I tell them apart?

20. Homonyms Taxonomic context alone doesn’t tell me enough. Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Plantae Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Apiales Umbelliferae Oenanthe Plantae Oenanthe Oenanthe Plantae Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Apiales Apiaceae Oenanthe Plantae Orchidaceae Oenanthe Animalia Chordata Aves Passeriformes Muscicapidae Oenanthe Animalia Chordata Aves Passeriformes Turdidae Oenanthe Animalia Chordata Actinopterygii Perciformes Pomatomidae Pomatomus Animalia Chordata Pisces Perciformes Serranidae Pomatomus

23. Taxonomic synonyms Halichondria panicea (Pallas 1776) sec Van Soest 2002 (WoRMS)

24. Consequences of Splitting Taxon Concept problem: What does someone mean when they refer to P. carinii

25. The Perils of Lumping Bear Lodge meadow jumping mouse. Zaphus hudsonius campestris Zaphus hudsonius preblei INCLUDES DOES NOT INCLUDE Dr. Rob Roy Ramey says Dr. Tim King says Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. What should a search for “Zaphus hudsonius campestris” return?

26. Different taxonomic views, different # species, different names Taxonomic Backbones: Scope and completeness

27. Organisational value of Non-Taxonomic Lists

30. Inventory and Index

31. uBio Indexes

32. Web Service outputs Taxon Object

33. Web Service calls from client applications

34. Taxonomic organisation of content

35. Taxonomic organisation of content

36. Indexes support processes that support discovery

37. That enable new and better tools and services

38. Formalise the Architecture

39. Coordinate Communities of Interest

41. Thank you [email_address] Skype:dremsen