Keys and the crisis in taxonomy: extinction or reinvention?
Annu Rev Entomol
; 52: 193-208, 2007.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16913830
ABSTRACT
Dichotomous keys that follow a single pathway of character state choices to an end point have been the primary tools for the identification of unknown organisms for more than two centuries. However, a revolution in computer diagnostics is now under way that may result in the replacement of traditional keys by matrix-based computer interactive keys that have many paths to a correct identification and make extensive use of hypertext to link to images, glossaries, and other support material. Progress is also being made on replacing keys entirely by optical matching of specimens to digital databases and DNA sequences. These new tools may go some way toward alleviating the taxonomic impediment to biodiversity studies and other ecological and evolutionary research, especially with better coordination between those who produce keys and those who use them and by integrating interactive keys into larger biological Web sites.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Artrópodes
/
Software
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Annu Rev Entomol
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos