Synonym look-up sites

[antenna]

Hi,

I'm trying to decode names from an old check list and would like to find some web sites that allow synonym look-up. I have used Index Fungorum a bit and also Global Biodiversity Info site but wondered if there are any others that people find good?

Any offers, please?

John

[SheffieldLass]

Have you tried the Checklist of the British & Irish Basidiomycota?

Basidiomycota Checklist-Online - Name Search Page

Melanie

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by antenna

Hi,

I'm trying to decode names from an old check list and would like to find some web sites that allow synonym look-up. I have used Index Fungorum a bit and also Global Biodiversity Info site but wondered if there are any others that people find good?

Any offers, please?

John

hi John

IndexFungorum has to be your first step - it's not 100% error-free of course, but is an invaluable resource

basically IndexFungorum (IF) is a nomenclatural list - not a taxonomic one, the former is probably what you need at this stage; unfortunately the water is muddied somewhat because SpeciesFungorum has been incoroporated into IF (note the way the the page colour changes from grey to green), SpeciesFungorum is CABI's taxonomic opinion harvested from various sources (I am quoting here from a friend who knows a lot more about these issues than I do).

for reasons too lengthy to go into here I would for the moment ignore Mycobank

I have spent a lot of time on what I suspect you are facing - both dealing with old Yorkshire fungus records and also at work (I work in museums) where such problems are frequent and often coupled with 150-year old faded Victorian handwriting ); I have access to a lot of old books and journals etc. which can shed light on the sort of problems which you might be facing
what is the nature of the list? is it a manuscript or published one? how many names are we dealing with? if there are relatively few I would say it might be fun to post them on this site; though if there are quite a lot, it might be better to outline the situation and invite WABbers to comment to you via personal messages

in my experience you will have to be prepared for some vague suggestions about what old names refer to . . . it's often an art rather than a science - but hey let's give it a go!

cheers

Chris

[cybershot]

The most comprehensive and up to date synonym look up tool I have found is the one associated with the ABFG's data recording package but unfortunately, at this moment in time, it is only accessible if you are a registered recorder, but watch this space!

[antenna]

That's interesting! My copy of Species Recorder doesn't seem to have any synonyms, just a BIG sheet called "Taxonomy" with current TVK and species name columns. Please steer me to the synonyms.

All the best,
John

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by antenna

That's interesting! My copy of Species Recorder doesn't seem to have any synonyms, just a BIG sheet called "Taxonomy" with current TVK and species name columns. Please steer me to the synonyms.

All the best,
John

PM on its way John
Cheers
David

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by antenna

That's interesting! My copy of Species Recorder doesn't seem to have any synonyms, just a BIG sheet called "Taxonomy" with current TVK and species name columns. Please steer me to the synonyms.

All the best,
John

Hi John,

A little off topic, but seeing as things are going to be picking up from now, we'll have to have a discuss the whole Mac compatibility thing once more.

Nick

[antenna]

Thanks to Cybershot's mention of the Lookup.xls that wasn't in my Species Recorder zip, I have now obtained a copy from MJ and transferred the info to a Bento database on my iMac. Works fine! Let me know if you're interested in doing the same.

All the best,
John

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by cybershot

PM on its way John
Cheers
David

just out of interest what is the basis of "The most comprehensive and up to date synonym look up tool" ? what is its authority? UK or worldwide? how far back into mycological history? and if it is that good I think it is a pity that it is being kept away from the amateur mycologist

I suspect it is based on existing (and possibly, dare one say it, more comprehensive) datasets in which case that isn't a problem (although I hope those are acknowledged), but I am very concerned that in an age when professional mycology in the UK is fading away, any useful information is being closeted away . . .

obviously copyright needs to be respected, but if this is all so secret why not just email each other and not bother to post it on WAB?

cheers (and a bit confused)

Chris

[cybershot]

My apologies to Chris and all other interested parties for not clarifying the position earlier. There is, as far as I know, no element of secrecy involved and the use of PM's between myself and John were merely to pass technicalities appertaining to the ABFG Species Recorder which eventually enabled him to achieve part of his objective. My request to Michael Jordan, that the Synonomy Lookup tool should be made available to a wider audience amongst the field mycology community, is receiving positive consideration:

The Association of British Fungus Groups • View topic - Synonomy Lookup

We will have to be patient for a little while longer. In the meantime there is nothing to prevent anyone joining the ABFG and using those channels to circumvent the wait if so required.

Cheers

David