Taxonomic database software for keys and descriptions?

[Hubert Turner]

On 20/6, Harvey E. Ballard wrote:

>Dear Folks:
>
>A fellow taxonomist asked me today about taxonomic databases that manage
>data for the production of keys and descriptions and that also permit the
>identification of unknowns upon inputting of diagnostic characters.  I've
>heard bits and pieces about some possible software but claim almost
>complete ignorance about the subject.
>
>In case it might be useful to others to get tidbits regarding useful
>(ideally user-friendly and cheap or free) software for this purpose, would
>all who have specific knowledge of such please send it forth to the TAXACOM
>community?  I will compile responses and (after keeping copies of your
>wisdom for myself) forward it to my colleague.
>
>Many thanks for your help, and best wishes,
>Harvey Ballard
>
>--
>Harvey E. Ballard, Jr.
>Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison
>132 Birge, 430 Lincoln Drive
>Madison, WI 53706-1381
>phone: (608) 262-2792 (Rm. 161, Herbarium); fax: (608) 262-7509
>e-mail: hballard at students.wisc.edu


Dear Harvey,

You and your colleague should check out DELTA, of which a description is
available on the WWW at

http://muse.bio.cornell.edu/delta/.

I wasn't able to connect to the site just now, but I seem to recall that
there is a mailing list dedicated to DELTA.

Other identification packages are described at the site

http://www.york.biosis.org/zrdocs/zoolinfo/syst_tax.htm

Many more internet resources for taxonomy and nomenclature can be found at

http://www.york.biosis.org/zrdocs/zoolinfo/syst_tax.htm


Hubert Turner

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