MaterialsProc Indian for Natn Devleoping Sci Acad 74 Databases No.1 pp. 27-38 in Taxonomic (2008) Research – A Review 27 Review Article Materials for Developing Databases in Taxonomic Research – A Review M SANJAPPA*, P VENU** and W DINESH ALBERTSON** *Director, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata – 700 064 ** Botanical Survey of India, Deccan Circle, Hyderabad – 500 048 (Received 26 July 2007; Accepted 28 March 2008) The essentiality of databases in taxonomic research and in taxonomists’ perspective is emphasized. Specimens, illustrations and little known catalogues, besides consolidated floras are considered subjects for databases in taxonomic research. The present communication analyses the holdings in Indian herbaria, the problems that confront them and suggests ways for their greater exposition. It is felt that a consortium is to be evolved linking them to pool up the holdings and to facilitate greater accessibility of specimens. Images though not entirely substitute specimens, expedite in tracing specimens in specific herbaria, their prompt borrowing for study thereby taking appropriate taxonomic decisions and updating of nomenclature. This centralization accelerates revisionary studies and makes Indian taxonomists less dependent on European herbaria. Illustrations and less known catalogues, which too are crucially linked to literature, should find a place in databases. Images of live collections with names authenticated empower forestry personnel to collect locality specific information of various species in monitoring exercises. Problems associated with names and their inherent dynamism due to the flexibility given in the provisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature in databases on consolidated floras of a state/ region are also addressed. The paper reviews the efforts put in by various institutions towards digitalization. It is suggested that the database on consolidated National Flora should be carefully phased initially building fully referenced species checklists for various families followed by appending additional data sets for value addition. This gives the needed stability to the developed database. Our approach should be gradual and graded and involving taxonomists as they are principle data generators. As the old databases are customized in configuration and utility and day by day the new ones getting added, this review cannot be claimed exhaustive. But it gives a broader perception with reference to the diverse resources on hand to be digitized and emphasizes how effective a database could be built upon. A thematic proposal is presented as a guideline with a submission for consideration/debate. Key Words: Databases; Catalogues; Digitization; Taxonomy; Herbaria; Illustrations; Flora and Types Background taxonomic databases concerning plant resources The Indian economy is essentially biomass based and including virtual herbaria. Though some attempts were the taxonomists, the inventory keepers of the biological made towards electronic databases in India, they have resources, are expected to play a major role in the not served fully the perceived needs of taxonomists nor exploitation and sustainable use of these resources in generated any desired impact towards data accessibility the coming years. A taxonomist finds himself at the door- by public at large. Another issue considered important step of biodiversity evaluation as he is the person is the image database for numerous collections existed supposes to announce the existence of new species, in various herbaria. The label data on the specimens is cautions the abundance/rarity of certain species and inadequate in case of old collections whereas collections announces the localities of species richness before from 1950’s onwards have reasonable field data that can anyone else can think of any further action. After assess where from the collections were made. Now Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a new explorations are undertaken keeping GPS, so both situation has been developed with recognition of latitudes and longitudes are accurately specified in each biological diversity and thereby taxonomy/taxonomists. of the specimens. The obvious issue to be addressed in Heywood [1] dealt how the taxonomists of the present database design is how to uniform the variable data day should make themselves relevant to societal needs. available in these sheets and simultaneously think of its Floral diversity generates a variety of stakeholders who integration for reference by users. More complications in turn need information and counsel for its sustainable may be anticipated in case of specimens bearing more utilization. Taxonomic databases are developed to than one name. It is implied here that one should provide the needed information to varied clients understand the specific issues inherent in taxonomic professionally and effectively. The information is to be research before developing a consolidated database on analyzed in the context of intended use and the format floral resources. It is likely while developing a database in which this is to be presented is to be decided prudently. that one may confront with numerous dilemmas with There is great activity around the world to build reference to names existing in the literature. As the 28 M Sanjapa et al. subject is historically connected, evolved with passage of the holotype) and paratype (additional specimens of time and specimens and literature distributed/dispersed selected from the material the author had on hand at the in various institutions, it is very difficult for a single time of writing the description) are some designated types person to take decisions correctly. People have been in the type series. Vouchers/types can be loaned from attempting floral databases on various themes and in different herbaria. Personnel manned in some herbaria different formats. There are no prescriptions while outside purview of BSI are sometimes over-protective. designing databases and are formatted based on In many there is no provision of lending specimens and individual’s choices ignoring compatibility with others. a revisoner has to go and spend considerable period. The The authors have developed a strong case for its initiation custodians (not always keepers) of certain others do not in India, so that taxonomists don’t face the usual know the conventional herbarium practices. Some constraints such as non-availability of literature and herbaria are drawn little attention for regular care and specimens in execution of developing the much needed are sidelined as storehouses of collections and are looked inventory of plant resources and public at large could upon as liabilities. There is no effective mechanism to use this unused and under used data generated by share these resources and to date only personal taxonomists. communications have been facilitating limited exchanges. Issues in Taxonomic Research Relevant to Databases Identity Crisis and Lack of Types /Authenticated Specimens Revisions and Holdings in Herbaria A number of Indian plants have not been collected after Revisions are considered serious research topics the type collected by Europeans and some do not have particularly when undertaken for larger genera. They representative specimens in Indian herbaria. It is pertinent pose problems of various kinds and the study of each to stress here that many Indian species require genus is an experience by itself. Some larger genera pose redescribing as the earlier descriptions are based on problems exhibiting indistinct continuities between scanty material. Hemigraphis venosa is a classic example certain species. Some exhibit rarity while others confine and the identity crisis in it has led some workers to to narrow geographical regions and some have taxonomic overlook and others to include but unfortunately based and nomenclatural complexities. These hurdles make on wrong determinations. Literature including Nees [6], anyone impossible to make his own collections of all Clarke [7] and Gamble [8] did not give the exact locality. species under the taxon for study in reasonable time This confusion of the taxon is due to nonexistence of period. It compels invariably one to depend on collections any authentic material in any of the Indian herbarium. It available with different herbaria. The country has many was with great difficulty and protracted correspondence herbaria under different institutions and some with huge the type collections of this species could be borrowed collections. In total, there are 11 herbaria under Botanical from K and LIV. Now the specimens’ images are stored Survey of India and ca 50 under universities and various for future reference to facilitate collection. Same is the institutions. They together hold ca 4 million specimens case with Vernonia shevaroyensis Gamble which is allied [2, 3]. Types are considered highly important in any to V. arborea Buch.-Ham. (=V. monosis Benth. ex C.B. herbarium holdings. The type is the name bearer, the Clarke) and was erected based on Perrottet’s collection specimen associated with a name by first description and and delimited by leaf shape, tomentum, ribs of achene publication. It provides an objective basis and a fixed and the absence of glands between them. However, some reference for the use of the name [4, 5]. Most ecologists, others feel that V. shevaroyensis is not distinct from V. environmental biologists and chemists keep voucher arborea. The absence of type in CAL and its elimination specimens of their study. This enables the