Wikispecies: The Evolution of a Collaborative Taxonomic Database
In the realm of biological sciences, organizing the vast diversity of life requires a precise system of taxonomy (the science of naming, defining, and classifying organisms) and nomenclature (the formal system of naming species). To make this complex data accessible to the world, Wikispecies was conceived as a collaborative, open-access directory of all known species.
The Origins of Wikispecies
The project began in the early summer of 2004, coordinated by Benedikt Mandl. Mandl gathered a group of interested individuals and reached out to potential supporters and database administrators to secure the necessary data for the project's foundation.
To ensure the project's success, Mandl focused on two primary objectives:
- Data Presentation: Determining how database content should be displayed by consulting experts and non-professional users, while benchmarking against existing databases.
- Infrastructure and Funding: Identifying the necessary software and hardware requirements and seeking volunteers and sponsors to cover operational costs.
Following extensive discussions on the wikimedia-I mailing list, the Wikimedia Foundation board of directors voted 4 to 0 in favor of the project. Wikispecies officially launched in August 2004 at species.wikimedia.org and was formally integrated as a sister project of the Wikimedia Foundation on September 14, 2004.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Growth and Expansion Milestones
Since its inception, Wikispecies has experienced steady exponential growth, evolving from a small collection of entries into a massive global repository of biological data.
| Date | Article Count | Total Pages |
|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2006 | 75,000+ | - |
| May 20, 2007 | 100,000+ | - |
| September 8, 2008 | 150,000+ | - |
| October 23, 2011 | 300,000 | - |
| June 16, 2014 | 400,000 | - |
| January 7, 2017 | 500,000 | - |
| October 30, 2018 | 600,000 | 1.12 million |
| December 8, 2019 | 700,000 | 1.33 million |
| January 8, 2021 | 750,000 | 1.5 million |
| April 16, 2022 | 800,000 | 1.67 million |
| September 17, 2023 | 850,000 | 1.87 million |
| January 17, 2025 | 900,000 | 2.03 million |
Database Structure and Content
Wikispecies serves as more than just a list of names; it is a comprehensive database for taxonomy and nomenclature. The project organizes information through several specialized page types to provide a complete scientific picture of each organism.
The database comprises the following key elements:
- Taxon pages: The primary entries for specific groups of organisms.
- Synonyms: Alternative names previously used for the same taxon.
- Taxon authorities: The individuals or groups credited with the formal description of the species.
- Taxonomical publications: References to the original scientific literature where the species was described.
- Type material: Information regarding the original specimen used to describe the species.
- Repositories: Details on the institutions or museums that hold the type specimens.
Key Facts
- Founder: Coordinated by Benedikt Mandl in early 2004.
- Launch Date: August 2004.
- Governance: Approved by a 4-0 vote from the Wikimedia Foundation board.
- Current Scale: Reached 900,000 articles and 2.03 million pages by January 17, 2025.
- Purpose: A collaborative database for biological taxonomy and nomenclature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who started the Wikispecies project?
The project was coordinated by Benedikt Mandl, who organized interested volunteers and contacted database administrators in the early summer of 2004.
When did Wikispecies become part of the Wikimedia Foundation?
While it launched in August 2004, it was officially merged as a sister project of the Wikimedia Foundation on September 14, 2004.
What kind of information is stored in Wikispecies?
It contains taxon pages, synonyms, taxon authorities, taxonomical publications, type material, and information on the institutions that hold type specimens.
How has the project grown over time?
The project has grown steadily from 75,000 articles in 2006 to 900,000 articles and over 2 million total pages by early 2025.
What was the primary goal during the planning phase?
The primary goals were to determine the most effective way to present data for both experts and non-professionals, and to establish the necessary software, hardware, and funding models.