Section headings
We are preparing our system to synchronize with the Arizona Tree of Life site.
As background, our template at LepTree.net will have quite detailed fields for extensive Kristensen-style information. TOL information will be maintained in a separate tab of our template, so authors can control exactly what is sent to TOL.
We know there are about 500 TOL existing pages with at least skeletal information, and a variety of section titles have already been used in these pages.
Here are my suggestions for the text fields on the Tree of Life tab for our template. Numbers indicate how many current TOL accounts use the section title.
- Introduction=8
- Geographic Distribution=71
- Habitat=72
- Characteristics=5
- Comparison with Similar Species=72
- Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships=5
- Life habits of immature stages=4
- Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits=73 (rename “Life habits of adults”, and move relevant info to the immature stages section)
Merge with other fields
- A Phylogenetic Red Flag=1 == merge with Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
- Adult characteristics=72 == merge with Characteristics
Geographic distribution=4 == merge with Geographic Distribution - Phylogenetic Notes=5 -== merge with Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
- Ecological Notes=6 == merge with life habits of adults
- Type=72 <-- I haven't looked at an example of this, so I don't know the best way to handle it.
We need to hear from current and future TOL authors to make sure our template meets your needs. Remember, we want to keep the list of sections small, as more detailed information will be available on our LepTree pages.
If you want to preview and comment on our template, please contact me and I'll send instructions.
Comparison with similar species
Hi Cyndy,
These look pretty good, although I am not sure how useful the "comparison with similar species' will be above the species level. What would be put into this section for superfamily accounts? Or even generic accounts...
Do you have to have information for each section?
Amanda
"comparison" and "type" etc.
Looks like "comparison with similar species" is from Olle Pellmyr's accounts, and so is the "Type" section.
Sections are going to be optional. I actually think both of those could be useful, but maybe we should move "Type" to the LepTree template (it isn't really typical for a Tree of Life account).
Andy, will the fields I've chosen be compatible with your TOL accounts? I don't want to mess up your previous work.
similar species and Type
Hi Cyndy,
As long as these sections are optional, then I think it would not be a huge problem. For species level accounts, having a section to diagnose between related species isn't a bad idea, as well as indicating the Type, but species-level accounts are much different than higher, more inclusive accounts. There have been a fair amount of discussion on a couple of my list-serves that I patrol about writing species level accounts, and the whole Encyclopedia of Life initiative.
Maintaining th option to put this information in is a good idea, but perhaps we need to indicate exactely what we want so people understand and don't try to fill it in for family level accounts...
butterfly ATOL pages
Hi all,
I have been entering a framework for a lot of butterflies straight into the TOLweb interface. It is easy to use. The framework is mainly based on catalogs and is composed of nested lists of names. When there is additional phylogenetic information, that is also included. The text parts are fairly limited, although some taxa have been fleshed out more extensively. I am just doing this to make it accessible, and I encourage anyone else who is interested to get involved.
Andy Brower
Dept. biology
MTSU