The Trichoptera Literature Database: a collaborative bibliographic resource for world caddisfly research

Abstract

In addition to a list of valid names and synonyms, as provided by the Trichoptera World Checklist, access to the primary literature itself is essential for research in Trichoptera taxonomy and systematics. To improve access to bibliographic information, we established the Trichoptera Literature Database, http://www.trichopteralit.umn.edu, a bibliographic database of over 8,500 citations of literature on Trichoptera. In addition to compiling bibliographical information, we provided access to over 450 high quality Portable Document Format files (PDFs) of historically important, rare, or out-of-print older works as well as more current literature. To provide universal web access to this bibliographical resource, we constructed a dynamic, custom-designed, web application (PHP, Symfony framework) created to import Extensible Markup Language (XML) from the EndNote data file. The database allows the user to search by author and year of publication, displays citations in a standard bibliographic format, and provides download links to available PDF literature. Existing bibliographies of Trichoptera literature and online access to Zoological Record databases were used to accumulate citations. Protocols for scanning literature, issues regarding copyright, and procedures for uploading citations and PDFs to the database are established. We hope to create a collaborative framework of contributors by seeking regional, subject, or language organizers from the community of Trichoptera workers to assist in completing and maintaining this resource with the goal of lowering barriers to efficient access to taxonomic information.