Topic 2: GUIDs for Collections and Specimens

Chuck Miller Chuck.Miller at MOBOT.ORG
Fri Oct 21 17:40:24 CEST 2005


I am responding to Donald's questions as they apply at Missouri Botanical
Garden.



As several have described, there are multiple layers of identification that
occur with specimens, particularly botanical specimens.



Our physical herbarium specimens are structured in a hierarchy, starting
from the original plant that was collected down to individual pieces with
labels.



COLLECTION

Identification begins at collection.  Multiple "samples" are usually taken
from one plant or an entire small plant may be taken, a collector's number
is assigned to the sample in the collector's field book along with notes and
samples also numbered.  Samples of other plants of the same kind may also be
taken with different numbers assigned to each in the field book and on the
sample.  Samples may be made up of multiple pieces -  leaves and stems,
fruits, seeds, bark, etc. - some may be dried, others left wet.  All of the
pieces/samples of the one plant described in one numbered field book entry
belong to the one organism noted by the collector.



PREPARATION

The pieces of dried or wet samples are shipped back to MBG with their
identifying numbers.  Nowadays, the information from the field book is
recorded in Tropicos including the collector's number.  A unique TropicosID
number is assigned in database to the specimen or "sample" and the data from
the field book is recorded including the collector's name and number.
Accession numbers are assigned to each of the pieces of the sample that will
be "mounted" in a different way.  A mounting sheet has the accession number
pre-printed on the sheet and the number applies to whatever is mounted on
the sheet.  But, a separate large fruit from the same plant would be put in
a bag for instance and assigned a different accession number.  Nowadays,
these accession numbers are also recorded in Tropicos.  A label is printed
for the sheet and duplicate labels are printed for each of the related
"accessions".  They are all the same label with the TropicosID and
collector's number on them.



DUPLICATES

Labels are also printed for the "duplicate" samples but no accession numbers
are assigned to them and they are not mounted.  The duplicates may be sent
unmounted to specialists for determination or to other herbaria. The
identification of these samples/specimens is what is printed on the included
label - which includes Tropicos ID, Collector's Name and Collector's Number.
The receiving institution may or may not assign additional numbers, mount
the sample on a sheet, database it, etc. Totally up to them.



MOUNTING

The flat pieces are mounted on the sheets, large samples may require
multiple sheets for one copy. Large things (fruits, bark, branches) may be
put into bags or other holding methods.  A barcode number is attached to the
sheet and any additional pieces/accessions and recorded in Tropicos.  A
different barcode is on each piece or accession. So, barcodes have a
one-to-one match to accession numbers.  The duplicate printed labels are
also attached to the sheet and any related pieces/accessions.  If an
attached barcode comes off and is lost, a new, replacement barcode is
attached and updated in Tropicos.



The use of Lead Collector's Last Name and field book (also called catalog)
number is very common in botany - eg. CROAT 10100.  The collector-number
method is frequently used in reference literature plus the addition of the
Index Herbariorium code for the institution where the specimen was seen or
gotten from.  Duplicates of CROAT 10100 could be at MO, K, P, F, etc. and
those sheets may have different accession numbers or no accession number at
all.



Donald's Questions:



1.      What identifiers (how many per specimen) get assigned to specimens
in your organisation or domain (field numbers, catalogue numbers, etc.)?



On one mounted specimen sheet at MBG are the following numbers/identifiers:

- Accession number (100% unique)

- Barcode number (100% unique)

- Tropicos ID (applies to all accessions and barcodes for one
sample/specimen)

- Collector's name and number (applies to all accessions, barcodes,
TropicosIDs, and duplicate samples/labels sent to other institutions from
the original collected organism)



All of these numbers are recorded in the Tropicos database.



2.      What is the scope of uniqueness for each of these identifiers
(notebook page, collector, database, institution, global, etc.)?

I attempted to describe this above.



Collector's numbers are commonly unique to a collector and don't repeat
across notebooks, but the numbers are not unique themselves and are only
unique when combined with Collector's name

Accession numbers and barcodes are unique to the sheet/bag they are attached
to and are one-to-one with each other and are unique within the institution

TropicosID is unique within the database and the institution and is supposed
to be one-to-one with collector/collector number.

Lead collector last name plus number is unique within the database and
within the institution but not unique globally.



3.      Can you explain the life cycle of each of these identifiers (who
assigns them, how they are subsequently tracked)?

Described at the beginning.



4.      Can you give examples of how these identifiers are used to retrieve
the specimen and/or information on the specimen?

The primary search for specimens in Tropicos is by collector name and
number.



5.      Would there be any social or technical roadblocks to replacing these
identifiers with a single identifier that was guaranteed to be unique?

Technically, it would require addition of an "alias" identifier and
additional programming to enable searching on the alias.



Since there are 4 identifiers in hierarchical relationship, which of them
could be the "single" identifier?  This goes to my continuing question of
"what are we trying to identify"?  The original specimen (and its
duplicates), a specific sheet, a specific part of a sheet, or part of a
specimen in an alcohol bottle separate from the sheet?



6.      In the case of subsamples from a specimen, can you identify issues
around associating the sample and associated information with the source
specimen and associated information?

By subsample, are we referring to the occurrence of "duplicates" of the
original organism or rather to the pieces of it, like bark, fruit, leaves?
What constitutes the "specimen" versus the sample?  We really need to
sharpen the language in these discussions to eliminate the round-robin
responses that occur as everyone states their opinion of what they think the
terms mean but no one decides exactly the definition to be used by everyone.



The biggest issue to me is that there are no standards for identification of
anything below the level of the original collecting event and even the
collector name + number is just a common practice in botany, not a
"standard" and not universal by any means.  The term "accession" means
different things to different institutions.  Accession number at MBG refers
to an associated part of a specimen, not the whole specimen. Does catalog
number mean the same thing everywhere?  To some it means the collector's
number.



I suppose another issue is that because of the common practice in botany of
collecting duplicate samples and sending them around to other institutions,
any worldwide count of databased specimens that does not account for these
duplicates will overstate the real number.



The subject of specimen identifiers is somewhat linked to that of collection
identifiers, since Darwin Core and the ABCD Schema have used institution and
collection codes together with catalogue numbers to identify specimens in
the absence of GUIDs.  It would also be useful here to collect information
on the following:



7.      How are your specimens organised into larger identifiable sets
(collections, named collections, databases, institutions, etc.)?

We don't separate our collections into sets, they are all part of one
herbarium collection.

Accessions combine into one specimen.

Duplicate specimens can be at other institutions.

We do record the institutions where we know duplicates of a specimen are
located but we do not record the other institution's catalog numbers



8.      What identifiers get assigned to each of these sets in your
organization or domain (institution codes, collection codes, Index Herbarium
acronyms, etc.)?
9.      Can you explain the life cycle of each of these identifiers (who
assigns them, how they are subsequently tracked)?
10.     Can you give examples of how these identifiers are used to locate
the set and/or information on the set?
11.     Would there be any social or technical roadblocks to replacing these
identifiers with a single identifier that was guaranteed to be unique?

Previously discussed.






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<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple>

<div class=3DSection1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I am responding to Donald&#8217;s
questions as they apply at <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">Missouri</st1:PlaceName>
 <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Botanical =
Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As several have described, there =
are
multiple layers of identification that occur with specimens, =
particularly botanical
specimens. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Our physical herbarium specimens =
are
structured in a hierarchy, starting from the original plant that was =
collected
down to individual pieces with labels.&nbsp; =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>COLLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></font>=
</p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Identification begins at =
collection.&nbsp;
Multiple &#8220;samples&#8221; are usually taken from one plant or an =
entire
small plant may be taken, a <u>collector&#8217;s number</u> is assigned =
to the
sample in the collector&#8217;s field book along with notes and samples =
also
numbered.&nbsp; Samples of other plants of the same kind may also be =
taken with
different numbers assigned to each in the field book and on the =
sample.&nbsp;
Samples may be made up of multiple pieces -&nbsp; leaves and stems, =
fruits,
seeds, bark, etc. &#8211; some may be dried, others left wet.&nbsp; All =
of the
pieces/samples of the one plant described in one numbered field book =
entry
belong to the one organism noted by the =
collector.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>PREPARATION<o:p></o:p></span></font=
></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The pieces of dried or wet samples =
are
shipped back to MBG with their identifying numbers.&nbsp; Nowadays, the
information from the field book is recorded in Tropicos including the
collector&#8217;s number.&nbsp; A unique <u>TropicosID number </u>is =
assigned in
database to the specimen or &#8220;sample&#8221; and the data from the =
field
book is recorded including the collector&#8217;s name and number.&nbsp; =
<u>Accession
numbers</u> are assigned to each of the pieces of the sample that will =
be &#8220;mounted&#8221;
in a different way.&nbsp; A mounting sheet has the accession number =
pre-printed
on the sheet and the number applies to whatever is mounted on the =
sheet. &nbsp;But,
a separate large fruit from the same plant would be put in a bag for =
instance and
assigned a different accession number. &nbsp;Nowadays, these accession =
numbers
are also recorded in Tropicos.&nbsp; A label is printed for the sheet =
and duplicate
labels are printed for each of the related =
&#8220;accessions&#8221;.&nbsp; They
are all the same label with the TropicosID and collector&#8217;s number =
on them.&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span styl=
e=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>DUPLICATES<o:p></o:p></span></font>=
</p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Labels are also printed for the =
&#8220;duplicate&#8221;
samples but no accession numbers are assigned to them and they are not
mounted.&nbsp; The duplicates may be sent unmounted to specialists for
determination or to other herbaria. The identification of these =
samples/specimens
is what is printed on the included label &#8211; which includes =
Tropicos ID,
Collector&#8217;s Name and Collector&#8217;s Number. &nbsp;The =
receiving
institution may or may not assign additional numbers, mount the sample =
on a
sheet, database it, etc. Totally up to =
them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>MOUNTING<o:p></o:p></span></font></=
p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The flat pieces are mounted on the =
sheets,
large samples may require multiple sheets for one copy. Large things =
(fruits,
bark, branches) may be put into bags or other holding methods. &nbsp;A =
<u>barcode
number</u> is attached to the sheet and any additional =
pieces/accessions and
recorded in Tropicos. &nbsp;A different barcode is on each piece or =
accession. So,
barcodes have a one-to-one match to accession numbers.&nbsp; The =
duplicate printed
labels are also attached to the sheet and any related =
pieces/accessions.&nbsp; If
an attached barcode comes off and is lost, a new, replacement barcode =
is
attached and updated in Tropicos.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The use of Lead Collector&#8217;s =
Last
Name and field book (also called catalog) number is very common in =
botany &#8211;
eg. CROAT 10100. &nbsp;The collector-number method is frequently used =
in reference
literature plus the addition of the Index Herbariorium code for the =
institution
where the specimen was seen or gotten from.&nbsp; Duplicates of CROAT =
10100
could be at MO, K, P, F, etc. and those sheets may have different =
accession
numbers or no accession number at all.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Donald&#8217;s Questions:&nbsp;&nbsp; =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D1 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>What identifiers (how =
many per
     specimen) get assigned to specimens in your organisation or domain =
(field
     numbers, catalogue numbers, etc.)?</span></font> <font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.25in'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></f=
ont></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>On one mounted =
specimen sheet
at MBG are the following =
numbers/identifiers:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
lang=3DFR style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- =
Accession
number (100% unique)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
lang=3DFR style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- =
Barcode number
(100% unique)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- Tropicos ID =
(applies to
all accessions and barcodes for one =
sample/specimen)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- =
Collector&#8217;s name
and number (applies to all accessions, barcodes, TropicosIDs, and =
duplicate
samples/labels sent to other institutions from the original collected =
organism)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>All of these =
numbers are
recorded in the Tropicos database.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.25in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D2 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>What is the scope of =
uniqueness
     for each of these identifiers (notebook page, collector, database,
     institution, global, etc.)?</span></font> <font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I attempted to =
describe
this above</span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>.<o:p></o:p></sp=
an></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Collector&#8217;=
s numbers
are commonly unique to a collector and don&#8217;t repeat across =
notebooks, but
the numbers are not unique themselves and are only unique when combined =
with
Collector&#8217;s name<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Accession =
numbers and
barcodes are unique to the sheet/bag they are attached to and are =
one-to-one
with each other and are unique within the =
institution<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>TropicosID is =
unique within
the database and the institution and is supposed to be one-to-one with =
collector/collector
number.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Lead collector =
last name plus
number is unique within the database and within the institution but not =
unique
globally.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D3 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Can you explain the =
life cycle
     of each of these identifiers (who assigns them, how they are =
subsequently
     tracked)?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
     10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Described at =
the
beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D4 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Can you give examples =
of how
     these identifiers are used to retrieve the specimen and/or =
information on
     the specimen?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span
     =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>The primary =
search for
specimens in Tropicos is by collector name and number. =
&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D5 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Would there be any =
social or
     technical roadblocks to replacing these identifiers with a single
     identifier that was guaranteed to be =
unique?<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Technically, it =
would
require addition of an &#8220;alias&#8221; identifier and additional
programming to enable searching on the alias.&nbsp; =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Since there are =
4
identifiers in hierarchical relationship, which of them could be the =
&#8220;single&#8221;
identifier?&nbsp; This goes to my continuing question of &#8220;what =
are we
trying to identify&#8221;?&nbsp; The original specimen (and its =
duplicates), a
specific sheet, a specific part of a sheet, or part of a specimen in an =
alcohol
bottle separate from the sheet? &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D6 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In the case of =
subsamples from
     a specimen, can you identify issues around associating the sample =
and
     associated information with the source specimen and associated
     information?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
     10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>By subsample, =
are we
referring to the occurrence of &#8220;duplicates&#8221; of the original
organism or rather to the pieces of it, like bark, fruit, leaves? =
&nbsp;What
constitutes the &#8220;specimen&#8221; versus the sample?&nbsp; We =
really need
to sharpen the language in these discussions to eliminate the =
round-robin
responses that occur as everyone states their opinion of what they =
think the
terms mean but no one decides exactly the definition to be used by =
everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>The biggest =
issue to me is
that there are no standards for identification of anything below the =
level of
the original collecting event and even the collector name + number is =
just a
common practice in botany, not a &#8220;standard&#8221; and not =
universal by
any means.&nbsp; The term &#8220;accession&#8221; means different =
things to
different institutions.&nbsp; Accession number at MBG refers to an =
associated part
of a specimen, not the whole specimen. Does catalog number mean the =
same thing
everywhere? &nbsp;To some it means the collector&#8217;s =
number.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p=
></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I suppose =
another issue
is that because of the common practice in botany of collecting =
duplicate
samples and sending them around to other institutions, any worldwide =
count of databased
specimens that does not account for these duplicates will overstate the =
real number.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The subject of specimen identifiers is somewhat =
linked to
that of collection identifiers, since Darwin Core and the ABCD Schema =
have used
institution and collection codes together with catalogue numbers to =
identify
specimens in the absence of GUIDs. &nbsp;It would also be useful here =
to
collect information on the following:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D7 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>How are your =
specimens
     organised into larger identifiable sets (collections, named =
collections,
     databases, institutions, etc.)?<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>We don&#8217;t =
separate
our collections into sets, they are all part of one herbarium =
collection.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Accessions =
combine into one
specimen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Duplicate =
specimens can be
at other institutions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>We do record =
the
institutions where we know duplicates of a specimen are located but we =
do not record
the other institution&#8217;s catalog =
numbers<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<ol style=3D'margin-top:0in' start=3D8 type=3D1>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>What identifiers get =
assigned
     to each of these sets in your organization or domain (institution =
codes,
     collection codes, Index Herbarium acronyms, etc.)?</span></font> =
<font
     size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Can you explain the =
life cycle
     of each of these identifiers (who assigns them, how they are =
subsequently
     tracked)?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
     10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
     style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Can you give examples =
of how
     these identifiers are used to locate the set and/or information on =
the
     set?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
     font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'color:navy;mso-list:l4 level1 =
lfo3'><font size=3D2
     color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
     color:windowtext'>Would there be any social or technical =
roadblocks to
     replacing these identifiers with a single identifier that was =
guaranteed
     to be unique?</span></font> <font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span
     =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
li>
</ol>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Previously =
discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
lang=3DEN-GB
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

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