Digitized Insect Specimen Access: new digitization tools
Karl-H. Lampe, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut & Museum A. Koenig (ZFMK), Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, GermanyIn practise the overall efficiency of data-basing the inventory of traditional entomological collections depends on two factors: suitable software and management measures to ensure the highest possible data quality already in the input process. Lessons learned from the development of the specimen-based database BIODAT, from the DORSA- (Digitized Orthoptera Specimen Access) project and preliminary results of the DIG-(Digitization of key Insect Groups at ZFMK) project, which is especially designed to develop a ‘good practise’, recommend: (1) a lockstep programme for data-basing, (2) split record function, (3) visualisation of geo-referenced gathering sites during data entry, (4) semi-automatic/automatic data transformation from original format into additional alternative ones, (5) semiautomatic data transfer of taxo- and geo-referenced information units. Current activities deal with the introduction of semantic feedback mechanisms into the practise of data-basing entomological collections.