Index General principles Technical information Getting started Acknowledgements Download Syngraph Log Author

What is Syngraph? A relational database application that that allows linkage of any published name to any other using a lexicon of modifiers that are conventional in taxonomy, anchoring each use to its bibliographic reference. Through the use of color and other symbology, the synonymies list generated by the report function of Syngraph provides in graphic format more information than is provided in conventional lists about the relation of the name to other members of the list and about confidence in that usage. The electronic application allows access to all published uses of a name, which print lists commonly do not. For example, a name that has been used as a synonym of more than one name would be a member of the list of synonyms for both names, but reference to either list does not typically provide information on what the other usage might be, whereas both can be traced by means of the electronic list. Applications and output formats The tracking and display of names in Syngraph has two functions: to create the historical record of name use: this is the function that is relevant to taxonomic publications such as descriptions and monographs. Syngraph can export the graphical synonym display as a bitmap file (*.BMP) and Internet file (*.htm). This application can also generate a synonym list in the conventional form. This list can be exported as a rich text format file (*.RTF) and edited in any word processor. Graphical synonym display for Halianthella kerguelensis (Studer, 1879) generated as a bitmap format file. Conventional synonym display for Halianthella kerguelensis (Studer, 1879) generated as a rich text format file. to allow the testing of hypotheses about the application of names: this function has broad applications in systematics and biogeography. Tested below is the hypothesis that all the plotted distribution records are for the species Bolocera kerguelensis. The color of the points correspond to the names in the synonym list generated by Syngraph. The legend for the distribution map was generated by Syngraph and exported as a bitmap (*.BMP) file. Distribution of Bolocera kerguelensis Studer, 1879 For graphical and text synonym lists, several display options are provided: - Syngraph can list every usage of a name or only those names relevant for taxonomy - relations such as synonyms, misidentifications, determinations, or pro parte may selectively be displayed - adjectives may selectively be displayed - unpublished opinions can be stored so that a synonym list can function in an on going research; unpublished opinions can be selectively displayed

This file was last updated on 15Sep2001 This application was developed by Adorian Ardelean © Daphne G. Fautin. All rights reserved.