ReTAX: A step in the automation of taxonomic revision

Classification, and particularly taxonomic revision, have not been generally addressed by computational models of scientific discovery. In this paper we present a framework for the automation of taxonomic revision in biological domains. This framework views taxonomy formation as an interaction of: (a) observation; (b) creation and structuring of a taxonomic hierarchy; (c) identification of relevant taxonomic descriptors; ar.d (d) use of background knowledge, We describe a prototype system for taxonomic revision, RP,TAX, which implements relevant aspects of such a framework. ReTAX receives as input a pre-established taxonomy, and is presented with new items which contradict in some way the original classification. Using a set of consistency criteria, ReTAX identifies the inconsistencies between the new information and the taxonomy. The system then applies a set of refinement operators to modify the taxonomy and resolve the inconsistencies. ReTAX has been tested on a botanical domain, replicating taxonomic revisions which had been suggested by professional botanists for the family Ericaceae, Finally, we propose extensions to ReTAX, which we hope will enable us to further develop the framework, and subsequently create an aid which taxonomists can use to revise existing taxonomies. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.