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Type: Article
Published: 2011-06-10
Page range: 331–337
Abstract views: 160
PDF downloaded: 162

The Trichoptera Literature Database: a collaborative bibliographic resource for world caddisfly research

Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 U.S.A. Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave, 219 Hodson Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave, 219 Hodson Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
Josh Steiner Consulting, 6025 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618 USA
online collaboration historical literature online literature rare taxonomic literature

Abstract

In addition to a list of valid names and synonyms, as provided by the Trichoptera World Checklist, access to the primary literature itself is essential for research in Trichoptera taxonomy and systematics. To improve access to bibliographic information, we established the Trichoptera Literature Database, http://www.trichopteralit.umn.edu, a bibliographic database of over 8,500 citations of literature on Trichoptera. In addition to compiling bibliographical information, we provided access to over 450 high quality Portable Document Format files (PDFs) of historically important, rare, or out-of-print older works as well as more current literature. To provide universal web access to this bibliographical resource, we constructed a dynamic, custom-designed, web application (PHP, Symfony framework) created to import Extensible Markup Language (XML) from the EndNote data file. The database allows the user to search by author and year of publication, displays citations in a standard bibliographic format, and provides download links to available PDF literature.  Existing bibliographies of Trichoptera literature and online access to Zoological Record databases were used to accumulate citations. Protocols for scanning literature, issues regarding copyright, and procedures for uploading citations and PDFs to the database are established. We hope to create a collaborative framework of contributors by seeking regional, subject, or language organizers from the community of Trichoptera workers to assist in completing and maintaining this resource with the goal of lowering barriers to efficient access to taxonomic information.