Abstract
BackgroundOrganization and presentation of biodiversity data is greatly facilitated by databases that are specially designed to allow easy data entry and organized data display. Such databases also have the capacity to serve as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). The Hawaiian Algal Database was designed to showcase specimens collected from the Hawaiian Archipelago, enabling users around the world to compare their specimens with our photographs and DNA sequence data, and to provide lab personnel with an organizational tool for storing various biodiversity data types.DescriptionWe describe the Hawaiian Algal Database, a comprehensive and searchable database containing photographs and micrographs, geo-referenced collecting information, taxonomic checklists and standardized DNA sequence data. All data for individual samples are linked through unique accession numbers. Users can search online for sample information by accession number, numerous levels of taxonomy, or collection site. At the present time the database contains data representing over 2,000 samples of marine, freshwater and terrestrial algae from the Hawaiian Archipelago. These samples are primarily red algae, although other taxa are being added.ConclusionThe Hawaiian Algal Database is a digital repository for Hawaiian algal samples and acts as a LIMS for the laboratory. Users can make use of the online search tool to view and download specimen photographs and micrographs, DNA sequences and relevant habitat data, including georeferenced collecting locations. It is publicly available at .
Highlights
Organization and presentation of biodiversity data is greatly facilitated by databases that are specially designed to allow easy data entry and organized data display
Most of the specimens are stored as dried herbarium sheets or formalin vouchers in the Sherwood laboratory, and will be deposited in the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum (BISH)
It is our hope that ecologists and taxonomists from the Pacific region and around the world will find this database useful for collaborative and comparative work on large biogeographic scales
Summary
Organization and presentation of biodiversity data is greatly facilitated by databases that are specially designed to allow easy data entry and organized data display. At the present time the database contains data representing over 2,000 samples of marine, freshwater and terrestrial algae from the Hawaiian Archipelago. Specimens are photographed (both macro- and microscopically) to illustrate key identification characteristics, and DNA is extracted from most newly collected and select archived samples of the Herbarium Pacificum collection of BISH to generate DNA sequence data for organellar and nuclear markers.
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