Taxonomy 2.0: computer-aided identification tools to assist Antarctic biologists in the field and in the laboratory

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Saucède, Thomas, Eléaume, Marc, Jossart, Quentin, Moreau, Camille, Downey, Rachel, Bax, Narissa, Sands, Chester, Mercado, Borja, Gallut, Cyril, Vignes-Lebbe, Régine
• Other Authors: Biogéosciences UMR 6282 (BGS), Université de Bourgogne (UB)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB ), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Laboratoire de Biologie Marine (LBM), Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University (ANU), Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies Hobart (IMAS), University of Tasmania Hobart, Australia (UTAS), British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Biodiversity and Cnidarians Evolution Group, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology ( ICBiBE), University of Valencia-University of Valencia
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2021
• Subjects: [SDE]Environmental Sciences; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctic Science; Southern Ocean
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-03090197; https://hal.science/hal-03090197/document; https://hal.science/hal-03090197/file/draft_Proof_hi.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102020000462

International audience Abstract Species inventories are essential to the implementation of conservation policies to mitigate biodiversity loss and maintain ecosystem services and their value to the society. This is particularly topical with respect to climate change and direct anthropogenic effects on Antarctic biodiversity, with the identification of the most at-risk taxa and geographical areas becoming a priority. Identification tools are often neglected and considered helpful only for taxonomists. However, the development of new online information technologies and computer-aided identification tools provides an opportunity to promote them to a wider audience, especially considering the emerging generation of scientists who apply an integrative approach to taxonomy. This paper aims to clarify essential concepts and provide convenient and accessible tools, tips and suggested systems to use and develop knowledge bases (KBs). The software Xper3 was selected as an example of a user-friendly KB management system to give a general overview of existing tools and functionalities through two applications: the ‘Antarctic Echinoids’ and ‘Odontasteridae Southern Ocean (Asteroids)’ KBs. We highlight the advantages provided by KBs over more classical tools, and future potential uses are highlighted, including the production of field guides to aid in the compilation of species inventories for biodiversity conservation purposes.Species inventories are essential to the implementation of conservation policies to mitigate biodiversity loss and maintain ecosystem services and their value to the society. This is particularly topical with respect to climate change and direct anthropogenic effects on Antarctic biodiversity, with the identification of the most at-risk taxa and geographical areas becoming a priority. Identification tools are often neglected and considered helpful only for taxonomists. However, the development of new online information technologies and computer-aided identification tools provides an opportunity to ...