Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): The Standard for Biological Taxonomy
In the vast world of biological science, maintaining a consistent way to name and categorize living organisms is essential. The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) serves as a critical pillar in this effort, providing a reliable, automated reference for the taxonomy—the science of naming, defining, and classifying organisms—of biological species.
Established in 1996, ITIS began as a partnership between several United States federal agencies. Over time, it has evolved into an international collaboration, incorporating government agencies from Canada and Mexico. This partnership ensures that researchers, policymakers, and conservationists have access to a unified source of taxonomic truth.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1996 as a US interagency group; now an international body.
- Scope: Primary focus on North American species, with significant global coverage.
- Database Size: Over 839,000 scientific names, synonyms, and common names (as of May 2016).
- Unique Identifier: Uses the Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) to ensure data stability.
- Accessibility: Data is public information and freely distributable.
The ITIS Reference Database
The core of ITIS is its comprehensive database, which covers terrestrial, marine, and freshwater taxa across all biological kingdoms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microbes. While its primary mandate is North American biodiversity, it includes extensive global data for specific groups such as birds, mammals, fishes, amphibians, bacteria, and various invertebrates.
To solve the problem of changing scientific names, ITIS assigns each name a Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN). The TSN acts as a stable, unique identifier that allows different datasets to communicate accurately. This is particularly vital when tracking critical environmental issues, such as the spread of invasive species, the decline of amphibians, or the management of fishery stocks and agricultural pests.
Beyond scientific names, the system provides common names in the primary official languages of the Americas: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Each record typically includes the author, date, distributional data, and bibliographic references.
Database Management and Infrastructure
The system relies on a vast community of taxonomic experts to ensure accuracy. The primary content staff are based at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, while the technical IT infrastructure is managed by a US Geological Survey facility located in Denver.
Global Collaborations: Catalogue of Life and EOL
ITIS does not operate in isolation. It works closely with international partners to create a comprehensive map of all known life on Earth.
The Catalogue of Life
In partnership with Species 2000, ITIS helps produce the Catalogue of Life, an annual checklist and index of the world's species. With a goal of documenting 1.9 million species, the project reached a significant milestone in May 2012 by cataloging 1.4 million species.
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)
Both ITIS and the Catalogue of Life serve as foundational components for the Encyclopedia of Life initiative, launched in May 2007. EOL aims to create a comprehensive digital encyclopedia of all species, utilizing various Creative Commons licenses to ensure open access to knowledge.
Evolution from Legacy Systems
The current ITIS database incorporates a significant amount of legacy data. As of May 2016, approximately 210,000 of its 714,000 scientific names were inherited from the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The transition from NODC to ITIS marked a shift in how species were coded. The original NODC Taxonomic Code, first published in 1977, used an "intelligent" numeric coding system. However, ITIS moved toward "un-intelligent" Taxonomic Serial Numbers, which are more stable and less prone to error as taxonomic classifications change.
Taxonomic Standards and Verification
Biological taxonomy is a dynamic field; as new research emerges, the placement and status of species are frequently revised. ITIS is updated continuously to reflect these scientific judgments. Because taxonomy is subject to change, ITIS encourages users to verify its records against primary scientific literature and other reputable sources.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Focus | North American species (with global extensions) |
| Key Identifier | Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) |
| Content Staff | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History |
| IT Services | US Geological Survey (Denver) |
| Major Partners | Species 2000, NOAA, various US/Canada/Mexico agencies |
Member Agencies
The strength of ITIS lies in its interagency cooperation. Participating members include:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- National Park Service
- NatureServe
- Smithsonian Institution
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- United States Geological Survey (USGS)
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN)?
A TSN is a unique, stable numeric identifier assigned to each scientific name in the ITIS database. It serves as a common denominator for accessing information across different biodiversity projects, regardless of whether the scientific name of a species changes over time.
Is the information in ITIS free to use?
Yes. Data presented in ITIS is considered public information and may be freely copied and distributed, although the organization requests that appropriate citations be provided.
How does ITIS handle changes in scientific research?
Because taxonomy is constantly revised based on new research, ITIS regularly updates its database to reflect current scientific judgment and the most recent taxonomic placements.
What is the relationship between ITIS and the Catalogue of Life?
ITIS and Species 2000 cooperate to produce the Catalogue of Life, which is an annual comprehensive checklist and index of all known species in the world.
Which languages are supported for common names?
Common names are available in the major official languages of the Americas, specifically English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.