Virtualizing Entomology Collection

Student:Di Wang (Alan)

Sponsors: John Marris: Curator, Entomology Research Museum

Stuart Charters: Department of Applied Computing

What is entomology is the scientific study of insects. more than two-thirds of known

organisms are insects. many kinds of interactions with humans

and other forms of life on earth. Important for both biodiversity and

biosecurity.

Lincoln Entomology Research Museum (ERM)

Curator: John Marris

Aim:

• Contribute to New Zealand biodiversity study

• provide taxonomic expertise and resources to Researchers

Current Holding:

Around 250,000 SpecimensAround 50 HoloType Specimen

Majority use of data Identify specimen’s species Collection event and locality information Geographic Spread of Species. Description of species and references.

Data stored in spreadsheets or word documentSpecimens stay in draws.

SolutionBuild a system that can manage and provide information about an Entomology Type Collection via a web interface for searching and web services to federate information with other Biodiversity Services

Collection Database

Input

Web Browsing

federate with other site

Approach Investigated existing software

Identified Biota Well used software in entomology Built by researchers Built using 4D Recently Open sourced

High level architecture online database with web service

implementation Use Biota as front end for input Web services to publish externally MySQL as database for W/S. Sync MySQL with 4D database.

4D DB MySQL DB

Dreams do not always come true!

Biota developed by a 4D ver6 old version, 10 years old. Code not match on current 4D v12.

Massive errors on Biota’s source code need to fix

PHP/MySQL integration with 4D Database was done by 3rd party add-ons not very stable.

Alternative Plan Use Biota’s Database structure and its workflow . Build the functions that are most useful and

needed in our web application. federate information with other Biodiversity

Services

MySQL DBWeb App

Pro & Con of alternative Plan

Pro Con

More flexibility Have to rethink whole workflow

Better integration between user interface and database

More work on rebuild UI and logic tier

Less DB management as no 4D DB needed

Save time compare to fix all the issue with biota

Outcomes and future task

Done To Do

Customized database structure adapt for current needs and Biota users

Import/Export to other data formats

New UI and logic tier to manage Input and output records

Allow system to support other collection disciplines, e.g. herbaria.

Integrate with Biota’s data structure

Build in image function for future imaging projects

Complete federation with GBIF

Authentication system

Label print system LU ERM

Benefits with Lincoln Web: Publish information about LUERM Collection Can easily access meta-data about specimen. Related data is linked together Improved data management system for

museum curator Work can be distributed to multiple web

users with web access. Speed up work process Resource could contribute to global research

Questions?

Thanks for your time