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Online Identification System for North Carolina Snakes. Yurii Kornilev, Michael Dorcas, Mur Muchane. Biology Department Instructional Technology Group. a novel approach to an old problem. Acknowledgements: Derek Rodriguez, Kiril Simov, Bill Johnson, Joy Hester, Chris Thawley, JD Willson.
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Online Identification System for North Carolina Snakes Yurii Kornilev, Michael Dorcas, Mur Muchane Biology Department Instructional Technology Group a novel approach to an old problem Acknowledgements: Derek Rodriguez, Kiril Simov, Bill Johnson, Joy Hester, Chris Thawley, JD Willson Support from Associated Colleges of South, Duke Power, and the National Science Foundation.
Goals and Objectives • Experts and professionals are supposed to know… =) • However, the lay-person or the enthusiast needs something accurate, simple, easy to obtain and use… • => Our goal: to help the non-herpetologists
Why The Need to ID organisms • Conservation projects require information collection • Scientific projects • People are curious! (>5000 visits of site per day during season!)
Some traditional methods (+/-) Field Guides + easy to carry in field + generally have combination between image and text - need some time to get acquainted with and know how to use - usually not available to layperson, somewhat specialized • Lists • + easy to carry • - usually lack images, rely on text • - might be hard to find
Presence of Motor? No Yes Number of Wheels: Answer: Bicycle 2 4 Answer: Motorcycle Answer: Car Some traditional methods (+/-) • Dichotomous keys (Two-branches) Example: differentiating between a bicycle, a motorcycle,and a car + can pinpoint species with high level of accuracy + portable - usually lack further information (have to be used with another book, etc.) - hard to find, very specialized - filled with specific terminology - might be difficult to use - if you get stuck, or make a mistake...
Other Online Snake IDs PARC – AZ: http://www.reptilesofaz.com/herp-snakes.html Austin Reptile Service: http://www.austinreptileservice.net/ • U of FL: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/snakekey.htm
How does the Snake ID really work? • If you see a snake that is: • 5 ft long • Moderate body • Uniform pattern • Black color • Keeled scales
The NC Snake Online ID… Biology Side + Ease of use by Non-professionals + Allows for some errors in ID + “Quick and dirty” info + Thumbnail images + Links to more detailed web page - Sometimes cannot be applied to other animals Computer Side + ASP (server side-generated HTML) + Access Database & SQL + Multiplatform / Independency + Optimized for minimum download of only relevant info + Flexibility/Ease of Maintenance • Tied to a computer with internet Outreach # emails since it’s up from last fall # of visits to www.herpsofnc.org
Thank you! Any comments, questions? www.HerpsOfNC.org Images by: YK, MD, Pierson Hill, JD Willson