Dear Computer Taxonomists,

Here are some references that you may find potentially useful to throw some light on the recent (quite impressive!) discussions. From a more theoretical viewpoint, I especially recomend the papers by Diederich.

Allkin, R. & White, R.J. 1989. XDF: A Language for the Definition and Exchange of Biological Data Sets. Description & Manual. Version 3.3. Unpublished. 49 p.

Diederich, J. 1997. Basic properties for biological databases: character development and support. Mathematical and Computer Modelling 25: 109-127.

Diederich, J., Fortuner, R. & Milton, J. 1997. Construction and integration of large character sets for nematode morpho-anatomical data. Fundamental and Applied Nematology 20: 409-424.

Maddison, D.R., Swofford, D.L. & Maddison, W.P. 1997. NEXUS: An extensible file format for systematic information. Systematic Biology 46: 590-621.

White, R.J. & Allkin, R. 1992. A language for the definition and exchange of biological data sets. Mathematical and Computer Modelling 16: 199-223.

Winfield, P.J. & Allkin, R. 1991. ALICE Transfer Format (ATF) Definition. Version 1.2. ALICE Software Partnership, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond. 17 p.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,

-- + - - - - - - - - - - - - Mauro J. Cavalcanti - - - - - - - - - - - - + | Setor de Paleovertebrados, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia | | Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro | | Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRASIL | | E-mail: maurobio@acd.ufrj.br | | Home Page: http://read.at/digitax/personal.html | + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + "Life is complex. It consists of real and imaginary parts."