Numeric taxonomic code of NODC

[Amy Edwards]

In message <9407050505.AA25166 at zookeeper.zoo.uga.edu> Geoff Read writes:
> The USA National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) taxonomic code was an
> attempt to (as they said in 1984[*]) "adapt the Linnean system to modern
> methods of data storage and retrieval." NODC then required the use of the
> code in all marine biological data it accepted for processing. The code
> used a basic 10 digit format so that 50 was an annelid, 5001 a polychaete,
> 500123 family Syllidae, 50012303 genus Syllis, and the last two digits
> allowed 99 species per genus. A few further symbols allowed refinements
> such as cross-referencing to synonyms. NODC maintained the listings.
>
> Is this an historical relic or would anyone advocate continuing such a
> system today? Regardless of the species-level being too limiting it might
> have a utility down to family or genus perhaps? Is it still in use at NODC
> or elsewhere?
>
> Geoff Read <read_g at kosmos.wcc.govt.nz>
>
>
> [*] Key to Oceanog. Records Documentation no. 15, vol 1.

We have used it in the past (since we were required to), but have continued to
use it as the link between two of our data base files.  The species file (genus,
species, id, lot number) and the  taxonomic file (everything above genus).  It
works well for that purpose.
Amy



Amy Edwards, Program Coordinator -------- aedwards at zookeeper.zoo.uga.edu
Museum of Natural History        --------           phone (706) 542-4137
University of Georgia            --------               FAX 706-542-3920
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