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Uniformity and representation of taxonomic and other characters and semi-automatic extraction using computer tools

2002; Brill; Volume: 4; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1163/15685410260438845

1568-5411

Renaud Fortuner,

Diatoms and Algae Research

Abstract A uniform decomposition of morphological-anatomical characters is proposed, based on results from the GENISYS project. Each character is decomposed into a 'structure' (organs and organ parts), a basic property of this structure, and possible states or values of the character. This decomposition can be applied to any character without enforcing any limitations to data entry by biologists. It is shown that a tool ('Terminator') based on this decomposition can be used for semi-automatic extraction of characters from published descriptions or from new data entry. If built, such a tool can be used to populate a database with the decomposed characters. This database could be used with existing computer identification or systematics tools. The same approach can be applied to the decomposition of other kinds of data, including molecular and physiological data. This would create sets of interrelated databases housing various types of knowledge on biodiversity.