The correct spelling of a species name is not always trivial and it is even more difficult for non-taxonomists to keep up with the valid status of species names. VLIZ now provides the 'Taxon Match Tool': a powerful semi-automated name validation tool to cross-check the spelling and taxonomic status of species.

VLIZ fotogalerij / Karl Van Ginderdeuren

The spelling and taxonomic status of species is cross-checked against the expert-validated information in the taxonomic databases hosted at VLIZ (the European check-lists of PESI and the global marine checklist WoRMS). The tool is an implementation of the new TAXAMATCH matching algorithm written by Tony Rees (CSIRO, Australia), which comprises a suite of custom filters and tests used in succession on genus, species epithet, plus authority where supplied. The tool returns standard taxonomic information in a user-friendly format (e.g. MS Excel or tab delimited text file). The user needs to upload a list of species names, match the columns with the fields in the database and the system will return the file with valid names (it corrects the spelling if there are close matches found and notifies when the name is an unaccepted synonym ), the authority and publication date, the hierarchical classification, quality status (expert validated or not) and the check-list GUIDs. When there are multiple potential matches the system provides a picklist. It is a very popular tool, already appreciated by thousands of users (with several files uploaded on a daily basis). The next version of this tool will also include a geo-match (to compare national/regional checklists with distributions held in the taxonomic databases), and will make it possible to match on species epithet and authority, regardless of genus names (to rule out different genus-species combinations). Find out more on Taxon Match Tool on WoRMS: www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=match Find out more on Taxon Match Tool on PESI: www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxamatch.php