Scrophulariaceae Names Index
Introduction
The Scrophulariaceae Names Index in this form represents a second phase of development for a Scrophulariaceae information system. The first phase was a Scrophulariaceae Names List available on The Natural History Museum gopher server from 1993 to 96. Though the coverage is basically restricted to this one family, the database includes information on variations in taxonomic delimitation, including alternative names for and subdivisions of the family (Personatae, Antirrhinaceae, Rhinanthaceae) and families included in the Scrophulariaceae in various current systems (Orobanchaceae, Selaginaceae, Globulariaceae). Many species and genera have been moved regularly between the Scrophulariaceae and adjacent families including the Acanthaceae, Bignoniaceae, Gesneriaceae, Labiatae, Lentibulariaceae and Myoporaceae. Names for most of these are in the main database, though not necessarily included in this preliminary list.
At present the full database consist of about 29,000 names, though the current preliminary listing contains 20,892 names. The preliminary list predominantly consists of species binomials, though the underlying database includes additional infraspecific, infrageneric and suprageneric names. Autonyms have been excluded, as have pro parte synonyms.
Origin
The Scrophulariaceae information system originated in a number of separate databases generated in response to particular research and publishing projects. In addition it includes selected information from other databases including the Linnaean Typification Project, the European Plant Information Centre, TROPICOS, the Smithsonian Type Register, the Field Museum catalogue of photographs of types and the Australian Plant Name Index. Data has been added from selected monographs, from regional projects including Flora Europaea and Conspectus Florae Orientalisand from all published volumes of Index Kewensis, and a manual search through the Index Kewensis CD-ROM was invaluable for locating otherwise overlooked genera. Many thanks to all those who have so generously contributed their time and information.
Data content
Current data consists of names with the corresponding authority or authorities, plus a year of publication where information is readily available. Authorities conform to the new Author Abbreviation standard, but final detailed editing will depend on checking original references. No restrictions are placed on the uses of this list, though at present no guarantees can be given on the accuracy of the data.
For all names in the database there is currently a minimum of basic information on the place of publication. Since that information does not adhere to an adequate standard, it is excluded from this preliminary listing. For approximately 20 percent of names, the list also includes much more detailed information on type specimens and sometimes the protologue. For a small percentage of names the information is much more comprehensive including descriptive information, non-type specimens and geo-referenced distributional data. We would welcome any ideas on what should go into the information system (eg. images of type specimens and associated bibliography).
Purpose
The system will allow for alternative taxonomies - it is not designed to stifle research but to be used as research tool. An immediate objective will be to produce a module for the IOPI World Checklist of Vascular Plants.
The intention is to make the database available in summary form on the Internet, ideally with a more complete version distributed on electronic media - probably CD-ROM.
Contact: David Sutton