DATA
The project website currently provides full access to all collection localities and, as a first step, specimen information for all spiders identified to date. The new search tool accesses the project's relational database directly, making the most up to date information available.
The links below provide access to the forms that search the databased information. Search results are returned as an expandable summary list of records, the complete information for each individual record is viewed by clicking on the plus icon (
) next to the row of interest. After a row has been opened it is possible to close it by clicking on the corresponding minus icon (
). Each locality record can also be mapped on either a topographic or satellite image map using the 'Map this record' link associated with a single record, or the 'Map Records' link at the top of the search results page.
The links below leads to the search pages:
Locality Search Specimen Search
DATA ACQUISITION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.—Precise collecting localities are determined with hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Data is recorded in the field on standardized "Field Data Sheets," and linked to specimens by field numbers. Once back in Seattle, the collection information is transferred to our management database "Specify," the Biodiversity Collections Management software made available by the Biodiversity Research Center, University of Kansas (www.specifysoftware.org). It is then uploaded to our Internet server, housed at the UW. To enhance accessibility and provide increased functionality, all locality and taxonomic data will be linked to the "National Center for Biotechnology Information" (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and the "Global Biodiversity Information Facility" (www.gbif.org). Locality data will also be made available by using a distributed geographic information system: a custom map interface based on the Google Maps API will provide full access to interactive and dynamic maps of project data