MULTIPLE USES FOR COMPUTER-STORED TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTIONS - KEYS FOR VERACRUZ

Renewed enthusiasm for databases containing descriptive information about species, and taxa at other levels, is based upon two assumptions: (1) that computers increase our efficiency in managing data and (2) that the descriptions, once stored, will serve diverse purposes. These assumptions are examined in the light of ten years of practical datamanagement. Descriptions based on 118 characters were compiled for Angiosperm families, subfamilies, tribes or genera represented in Veracruz, Mexico. Keys including various printed dichotomous keys, a polyclave and diagnostic descriptions were produced in English and Spanish. An interactive computer program for specimen identification proved particularly useful and enabled students to explore family delimitations. For critical or fragmentary material, identification based on simultaneous use of all available characters, though more laborious, gave better results. Existing software was modified for ease of use and for Spanish speakers. Since the first version of the data set was completed, nine years ago, the data have undergone slow but significant development: errors have been corrected, characters added, descriptions refined, and families further subdivided. These changes have improved the precision and the efficiency of identification. As the data set evolves, new keys are written to serve applied scientists and botanists working in Veracruz. Development costs were due largely to lack of suitable data management software. Major benefits include (1) the production of keys tailored for particular users from the outset, (2) the easy replacement of keys as the data improve, and (3) collation of a data set of quality which will be of continuing future use. Minor modifications of the character definitions were recognised for diverse diagnostic purposes but proved unsatisfactory for description writing and classification. These findings are of significance to those planning descriptive biological database projects elsewhere.