Diana Hernandez dhernand@conabio.gob.mx

1. Integrating the catalogue of Mexican biota: different approaches for different client perspectives Diana Hernandez dhernand@conabio.gob.mx

2. CONABIO • Created in 1992 • obtain, organize, analyze and disseminate biodiversity • information • promote and coordinate actions focused on the knowledge and • sustainable use of resources • serve as a “bridging institution” among scientists-government- • civil society

3. Biological richness of Mexico • fourthMegadiverse country, in overall species richness • ~ 10% of the 1.8 million known species Currently, CONABIO has records of over 50,000 Mexican plant and animal species (~30% known diversity)

4. Cultural diversity of Mexico • Mexico is one of the most culturally diverse countries, México is the 2nd. richest countryin native languages (59 – 297 indigenous languages) Use of natural resources multiple common names ‘Peyote’ ,‘Peyotl’ ‘Jiculi’ , ‘Beyo’ (22 synonyms)

5. Challenges ... • Taxonomic impediment vs. lack of a single database which includes the existing described species • Diverse sources of information (heterogeneous) • Demand of information by various users: • government • academic • NGOs • private • general public

6. Conservation Invasive species Bioprospecting Biosafety Restoration Web-based applications attention to users knowledge layer metadata statistical tools extrapolation tools visualization organization accumulation curves bioclimatic models complimentary Hot-spot detection information layer specimen data authority catalogues geospatial data species attributes data DBM GIS TCP/IP XML data layer National Biodiversity Information System (SNIB) CONABIO is responsible to create and maintain the National Biodiversity Information System (SNIB)

7. Taxonomic Authority Catalogues • Lists of correct and valid names of multiple taxa based on a classification system • Well structured hierarchical model • Additional information: synonyms, common names,original description references, species’ distribution • Important features: • Data base format • standards for data quality control • www accessible

8. Challenges on their development • inverse correlation between biodiversity and expert taxonomists (species on risk of extinction!!!) • disperse information • old and hardly accessible references • lack of interest and unrecognized by scientific committees • need constant updating • money and time consuming

9. SNIB uses specially developed software specially designed to handle curatorial, nomenclatural, geographic, bibliographic, and ecological parameter data

10. ID Taxonomic Category I. Kingdom II. Division/Phylum 1 Id Name ID Taxonomic Category ID Parent Name ... III. Class IV. Order ∞ V. Family VI. Genus VII. Species Hierarchic recursive union ID Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

11. Development of Catalogues Project agreement with an expert Peer reviewed publications DB development and data quality control NO Taxonomic expert revision Complete DB YES Catalogue ready for distribution http://www.conabio.gob.mx/

12. Taxonomic Authority Catalogues website

13. Data quality control and use of nomenclatural standards • Scientific names MUST have their authority and description year. • Reference to a classification system is mandatory • Corresponding authority and bibliographic data • Synonyms MUST refer to one valid species only

14. Current available catalogues

15. Growing information and use Downloaded in different formats

16. Added value

17. Separate existing catalogues Future tasks: integrating the catalogue of Mexican biota alive and available expert taxonomists complimentary published taxonomic information Best structure Agreements and terms of reference Taxonomic Catalogue of Mexican biota local demand of specific information on line update users customized queries exchangeable information with other world catalogues