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

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.

Heart urchins from the depths: Corparva lyrida gen. et sp. nov. (Palaeotropidae), and new records for the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

“…Distribution: T. reductus is restricted to the southern region of the SWAO (Tierra del Fuego, Isla de los Estados) (Fig. 1D), and the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, also South Shetland Islands, and South Orkney Islands (Saucède et al, 2020).…”

“…1E) (Brogger et al, 2013). Also, along the Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Shetland Islands, and Bouvet Islands (David, Saucède, Chenuil, Steimetz & De Ridder, 2016;Saucède et al, 2020).…”

“…Depth: From 10 to 1 000 m depth (Saucède et al, 2020). Abatus cavernosus is commonly found in shallow waters southward of 44° S, while northward off Buenos Aires it occurs from 100 to 1 000 m depth (Brogger et al, 2013;Saucède et al, 2020). Lovén, 1871 (Fig.…”

“…Based on previous reports, there are eight spatangoids species present in the Argentine continental shelf and offshore: Abatus cavernosus (Philippi, 1845); Abatus philippii Lovén, 1871; Abatus agassizii Mortensen, 1910;Brisaster moseleyi (A. Agassiz, 1881); Tripylaster philippii (Gray, 1851); Tripylus excavatus (Philippi, 1845); Tripylus reductus (Koehler, 1912); and Delopatagus brucei Koehler, 1907(Bernasconi, 1964Brogger et al, 2013;Fabri-Ruiz, Saucède, Danis & David, 2017;Saucède et al, 2020). D. brucei is considered due to its occurrence south off Tierra del Fuego (Saucède et al, 2020).…”

The 8 Years of Existence of Xper3: State of the art and future developments of the platform

“…We will present an overview of the different projects in progress and for the future. Calculated descriptors are a distinctive feature of Xper3 (Kerner and Vignes Lebbe 2019). These descriptors are automatically computed from other descriptors by using logical operators (Boolean operators).…”