The determination subform is where we define the taxonomic details of the specimen. This is much more than simply stating the genus and species- type status, taxon qualifiers, synonyms and the like are recorded here, also.
One key concept here is you can have more than one determination. This happens when someone challenges the current determination. It is up to the Collection Manager to determine which will be listed as the current determination.
Chapters in this section
Subforms in the CO form:
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This is where the taxonomy of the specimen is recorded. This lookup field ties directly into the Taxon tree, so everything represented in this tree is an option for this field. If your specimen has no determination, just leave it blank. This field will search on all taxon ranks except species. Just type in a few letters of whatever name you have and press tab- a dropdown list based on what you entered will display in a new window (or a box just below the field, if there are only a few options). Just select the one from the list and Specify automatically includes all ranks above the one you entered (even though it won't display them unless specifically queried for).
When you only have a Genus name (or any rank above) you don't have to enter the full genus name, you can just enter the first few letter of the name you have and a (albeit longer) list will display.
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Learn more about scientific names
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Qualifiers modify the taxon entry by adding or removing detail. Choices for this field are:
These will be listed on the label if any apply, but for the sake of knowing: ?- indicates that the determiner is not sure that the determination is correct aff- (Species affinis) affinity with, but is not identified with the species name that follows. cf. (Conferre) is used to compare individuals/taxa with known/described species, or sometimes used when the identification is not confirmed. n. sp: (New species, nomen novum) the determiner is stating that this is a new named animal. Usually this is given the Type Status (see 4) Type status) as a holotype. sp: the determiner is saying that the actual specific name cannot, or need not be specified. sp. with letters or numbers: Used to show where in a series this determination lies- either as multiple paratypes, or as a growth series and so on. |
for more details about the ins and outs of scientific naming, click here
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This field auto completes in most cases. In some cases where the taxon name has been changed, there is an extra step. Taxonomy is always being re-evaluated and updated, therefore the taxon on the label will sometimes not be the same as the preferred taxon. Some of our label data is over 100 years old- that's a lot of time for generations of researchers to find new data leading to lots of reclassification and synonymizing! When you hit a taxa that has been synonymized, a dialogue box will pop up wanting you to choose between change the taxa name to the synonym, or to keep the taxa name. Choose the keep option- that way, the original taxa shows in the Taxon field, but the new name is auto filled into the Preferred taxon field.
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