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listing key characteristics for further ID

idea/suggestion for obtaining photos which contain the characteristics necessary for further ID: seems like for larger families like the ground beetles it would be handy to have the key characteristics needed to ID to the next level (subfamily or tribe) listed on the family info page. That way we could quickly review the key characters needed (ie. one or two supraorbital seta), and work to ensure they are more visible in our photos. I've been through Carabid keys often enough, but I just can't seem to remember the key characteristics for each subfamily/tribe. And re-reading a key in the midst of a photo shoot isn't the same as having a pre-made list of key characteristics encompassing the subfamilies/tribes. The raw data is all there between the keys and the individual subfamily/tribe descriptions. It's just not in one (usable) place. I'm not sure I've ever seen such lists before, but it seems like a task that some of our taxonomy-minded members would excel at and enjoy.

what do you think?

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Contributed by Tim Moyer on 21 August, 2007 - 12:37pm

Why not become an editor

...and do it yourself? That's the way things get done at BugGuide.

See my comment here on "what to focus on" and the eventual goal of filling in Guide pages with descriptive info etc.

… Robin McLeod, 21 August, 2007 - 11:22pm

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concensus

Thanks Robin, Regardless of if I do it or others, before info pages are modified, especially on the higher, more frequented taxon levels, I though we should seek some concensus from more experienced BugGuiders on should it be done at all or not.

… Tim Moyer, 22 August, 2007 - 7:31am

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No concensus necessary

for filling in Guide pages. Once an editor clicks the Edit link, all the page's sections appear. Each section includes tips on how to complete it. All that's necessary is to follow the directions and fill in the blanks.

In cases where the structure/layout of the Guide is to be changed (such as when creating new categories or adding/removing subfamilies, tribes, etc.) I think it's important to discuss the intention and possible consequences before action is taken. Those types of changes can affect the Guide's usability, potentially affecting all users.

… Robin McLeod, 22 August, 2007 - 10:33am

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