[Zoobank-list] Re: GBIF GUID Workshop Report

[Richard Pyle]

Hi Wolfgang,

> is the future role of ZooBank alraedy clear enough? - at least to
> an extent that we can see it's potential contribution in the
> mechanism of assigning GUIDs?

The ZooBank "technical" article specifically describes the issuance of
"unique identifier[s]" for new names and nomenclatural acts
(http://www.iczn.org/new%20ZooBank5.htm), and I don't think there was ever a
doubt that GUIDs would be issued as a core component of ZooBank.  However,
most of the focus of ZooBank discussions has been on "future" names (i.e.,
new names must be registered with ZooBank in order to be Code-Compliant).
Only a small amount of discussion has focused on historical (existing)
names.

Even if ZooBank will not soon have access to a large set of historical
names, there is still good reason for ZooBank representation to be at the
discussion table over the next weeks and months, because eventually ZooBank
should have a listing of historical names, and ICZN seems to be the logical
organizational body to administer those GUIDs (in the long run, at least).

> GUIDs are needed for the exchange
> of biodiversity data, but ZooBank will be limited to the "realm of
> nomenclature" and will not issue something like approved lists of
> valid names (taxonomic concepts), right?

Yes, that is correct.  The GUID Workshop determined that one of the
fundamental data-object types in need of GUIDs is a "Taxon Name" (separate
from Taxon Concepts) -- completely independant of whether that name should
be regarded as subjectively valid or invalid.

> So, don't we need more than ZooBank to assist in the issuance of
> GUIDs? Even something like "one master list" of valid names?

GUIDs will be issued by a plethora of data repositories, for all sorts of
biology-relevant data (taxon names, taxon cocnepts, specimens &
observations, publications, descriptive datasets, DNA sequences, etc.,
etc.).  Taxon Names are only one subset of those items, and zoological names
are only one subset of taxon names.  I do not see the role of ZooBank as
being in the business of issuing GUIDs for taxon concepts (at least not
anytime soon), but it does seem like a logical issuer of GUIDs for
zoological names.

> Actually, the ZooRec does record more than the "realm of
> nomenclature" as it includes subjective synonyms, changes
> in generic combinations, up- and downgradings, etc. So,
> isn't the good old traditional Zoological Record equally
> indispensable for the issuance of GUIDs?

I think ZooRec has an extremely important role in the future of
GUID-issuance -- and it may be that they would end up being one (of many)
non-ZooBank issuers of GUIDs for zoological names, concepts, publications,
etc. As I said previously, this may not necessarily be a bad thing (though
it may somewhat reduce the scope of ZooBank's long-term relevancy).

> Yet, the Zoological Record too doesn't provide authoritative
> "master lists" of valid names which could provide a sound basis for GUIDs.

I'm not sure what you mean by "master lists of valid names".  If you mean
names that are deemed by some "authority" as being the subjectively "valid"
(e.g., as having subjective synonyms), then I certainly do not see this as a
role for ZooBank.  If you mean "master lists of *available* names" (i.e.,
names that are nomenclaturally available as defined by the ICZN Code), then
I do see this as a pivotal role of ZooBank (at least in the long term).

I'm not quite sure I follow the rest of your message.  However, based on the
general feeling at the GBIF/TDWG GUID Workshop, it seemed clear that the
community sees a value if establishing GUIDs for Taxon Names as objects
separate from taxon concepts (i.e., that the names need GUIDs independantly
of whether they are treated by some authority as subjectively valid or
synonymous).  And I think it an important (and urgent) topic of discussion
among ZooBank proponents as to whether they/we want to be actively engaged
in the development of GUID standards in biology.

Aloha,
Rich

Richard L. Pyle, PhD
Database Coordinator for Natural Sciences
Department of Natural Sciences, Bishop Museum
1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817
Ph: (808)848-4115, Fax: (808)847-8252
email: deepreef at bishopmuseum.org
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/staff/pylerichard.html