Use of online resources in the taxonomy and ecology of harmful phytoplankton

Abstract

SUMMARY The internet is becoming increasingly important for the dissemination of biological information. Large target audiences are reached rapidly, large amounts of information can be assembled and distributed, sites can include search facilities, and information might be handled online or as printable output. Many websites are now producing libraries of phytoplankton images including toxic dinoflagellates. But while some provide valuable resources others lack focus and do not address any specific problems, for example the morphological variability in many major groups such as Dinophysis and Alexandrium. Yet it is this morphological variation which often hinders taxonomic and ecologic research of harmful dinoflagellates. Taxonomic information as well as information about sample origin and preservation methods is also often lacking. This makes comparisons between taxonomic websites difficult. Therefore, while documenting the presence of certain taxa, some sites cannot be used as a taxonomic training or research tool. Yet, if online resources were to reflect these complexities they could become valuable tools in the dissemination of data as well as actual research and training tools. One reason for the lack of consistency between sites could be that these sites, as a teaching and research tool, are a relatively recent development and no criteria have therefore been established as to the contents and structure of such sites, as are commonplace for conventional publications. This comment will discuss different approaches to, and tools for, the production of online taxonomic resources (depending on the site's objectives, e.g. research or teaching) using the Harmful Plankton Project (http://www.liv.ac.uk/hab) designed at the University of Liverpool as one example of a user-friendly and adaptable tool.