A Bionumeric Code Application in Handling Complex and Massive Faunal Data

Abstract

A bionumeric code, used by the BCF Exploratory Fishing Base in Pascagoula, Miss. is presented and discussed. The basic code consists of 9 digits divided into phylum-class, class-order, family, genus, and species categories. The code, a modification of one proposed by the FAO in 1960, has facilitated the handling of large quantities of faunal data from the southwestern North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Expansion capabilities are inherent in the code structure and are discussed. Comparisons are also made with several code systems previously suggested by other workers. The present need for bionumeric coding systems is emphasized and a suggestion is made for establishing a central agency wherein all taxonomic records would be maintained and coded. A bionumeric coding system for automatic data processing (ADP) has been in use at the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Exploratory Fishing Base, Pascagoula, Mississippi since 1961. The need for bionumeric coding at Pascagoula had been recognized in the early 1950's with the rapid accumulation of faunal data resulting from exploratory fishing surveys and the attending high retrieval requirements for industry counselling. The absence of references to prior attempts at numerical biological classification inhibited serious thought of attacking the problem by the small staff available. In 1953, absolute necessity required increased data retrieval efficiency and a crude alphabetic code was employed using key-sort cards. By 19,59 data bulk had far outstripped the feasibility of further continuance of non-automatic data processing and the decision was made to adopt ADP and the consequential problem of developing a bionumeric code. Criteria for the code were developed on the basis that simplicity would keep equipment costs at a minimum and would permit usage by the entire staff with minimum training requirements. Initial restrictions to western Atlantic fauna were dictated by program limitations. Phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species categories were to be based on the most recent monographs of all marine groups. In 1960 FAO published a bionumeric code designed primarily for categorization of bibliographical materials. It was quite apparent that with slight modification, this system could be applied to the needs at Pascagoula and reduce the estimated 4 to 5 years needed to complete coding to less than a year. We fully realized that this seriously compromised the intent to produce a directly related numeric-phylogenetic code but the time and cost factors outweighed the desirability for a direct code. Few developments have aided in increasing the scope of knowledge more rapidly that ADP. Its increased use in other fields of the biological sciences has seemingly done little to stimulate taxonomists to take advantage of this remarkable tool. Very recently the case was made by Michener (1963), who proposed a uninomial coding system, by Little (1964) who recognized the limitations of uninomials and advanced a polynomial design, and by Rivas (1965) who suggested a very similar application to zoological taxonomy. This paper emphasizes some of the justifications presented by these authors and outlines a successful experiment in applying bionumeric coding to