Taxon ID numbers in FNA online

[Alec McClay]

In listings produced from the Flora of North America online each taxon is
given a taxon ID number (e.g., 250060722 Polygonum austiniae,
see  http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=1&start_taxon_id=126398).
I can't find any discussion on the site about the purpose or appropriate
use of these numbers. It's tempting to use them as a shorthand code for
that taxon in other reports, databases, etc., but is that an appropriate
use? Is anyone using them in that way or are they purely an internal
reference number in the www.efloras.org database? What exactly is the taxon
ID number tied to in the event of revisions, nomenclatural changes, etc.?
Any advice would be gratefully received.


Alec McClay, Ph.D.

McClay Ecoscience
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