Towards computable taxonomic knowledge: Leveraging nanopublications for sharing new synonyms in the Madagascan genus Helictopleurus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae)

Michele Rossini

doi:10.3897/bdj.12.e120304

Towards computable taxonomic knowledge: Leveraging nanopublications for sharing new synonyms in the Madagascan genus Helictopleurus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae)

Citation

Rossini M (2024). Towards computable taxonomic knowledge: Leveraging nanopublications for sharing new synonyms in the Madagascan genus Helictopleurus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae). Biodiversity Data Journal. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.12.e120304 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-14.

Description

Numerous taxonomic studies have focused on the dung beetle genus Helictopleurus d’Orbigny, 1915, endemic to Madagascar. However, this genus stilll needs a thorough revision. Semantic technologies, such as nanopublications, hold the potential to enhance taxonomy by transforming how data are published and analysed. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of nanopublications in establishing synonyms within the genus Helictopleurus.In this study, we identify four new synonyms within Helictopleurus: H. rudicollis (Fairmaire, 1898) = H. hypocrita Balthasar, 1941 syn. nov.; H. vadoni Lebis, 1960 = H. perpunctatus Balthasar, 1963 syn. nov.; H. halffteri Balthasar, 1964 = H. dorbignyi Montreuil, 2005 syn. nov.; H. clouei (Harold, 1869) = H. gibbicollis (Fairmaire, 1895) syn. nov. Helictopleurus may have a significantly larger number of synonyms than currently known, indicating potentially inaccurate estimates about its recent extinction.We also publish the newly-established synonyms as nanopublications, which are machine-readable data snippets accessible online. Additionally, we explore the utility of nanopublications in taxonomy and demonstrate their practical use with an example query for data extraction.

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Contacts

Michele Rossini
originator
position: Dr
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova
Padova
IT
email: micros.naturae@gmail.com

Michele Rossini
metadata author
position: Dr
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova
Padova
IT
email: micros.naturae@gmail.com

Michele Rossini
administrative point of contact
position: Dr
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova
Padova
IT
email: micros.naturae@gmail.com