Using ITIS to Create BDP Taxonomic Classification Terry Giles USGS-FORT (970)

Objective - At the end of this module, the user will be able to download taxonomic classification for at least 2 species from ITIS and insert the it into an existing metadata record.

What is ITIS?  Integrated Taxonomic Information System.  Provides standardized, scientifically credible taxonomic information  Easily accessible database with reliable information on names and classification 

Accessing ITIS  Quick Search  Advanced Search  Download data

ITIS Metadata Tool   Creates a downloadable SGML file containing Taxonomic Classification elements.  Only works for Scientific Names.  Can only search within one Kingdom at a time.

Upload your file  Create a text file containing the names of 2 species and a header line stating ‘name’. Martes martes, Accipiter gentilis  The search tool is case sensitive – Genus species  Browse to the file on your machine & use the Upload button to send to ITIS.  Continue to Step 2

Selecting your output  Select the Kingdom for the species in your list our example = Animalia  Select “Scientific Name (FGDC Biological Profile Report - Prototype)” to make SGML  Use the “View Matches” and “View non- matches” to check your upload.

Taxonomic Comparison  Click the Taxonomic Compare button to run  Report summary page – to get to SGML click the button.  Click ‘Download SGML data’  Use ‘SAVE AS’ to save as text with Unicode (UTF-8) encoding.

Inserting Taxonomy – Single Kingdom  Complete the Mandatory Taxonomy elements in Metavist.  Save the file in Metavist and close Metavist.  Open the XML file in Notepad; Open the ITIS download in notepad  Paste the ITIS file into the XML just below and Save. Open the file again in Metavist.

Inserting Taxonomy – Multiple Kingdoms  Complete the Mandatory Taxonomy elements in Metavist.  Start the Taxonomic Classification – add ‘Empire’ under Rank Name; Rank Value & Common Name will automatically populate.  Save the file in Metavist and close Metavist.

Inserting Taxonomy – Multiple Kingdoms  Open the XML file in Notepad; Open the 2 ITIS downloads in Notepad.  Paste both ITIS files into the XML just below Carbon-based lifeforms and above. Save the file.  Open the file again in Metavist.