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World Rubiaceae Checklist

World Checklist of Rubiaceae

The goal of World Rubiaceae Checklist project is to produce a high quality, scientifically rigorous global taxonomic checklist for the Rubiaceae. Dissemination is via the internet and as a book (with CD-ROM), to be published in 2007*. The product comprises a complete species checklist for the Rubiaceae, including some 620 genera, c. 13,000 accepted species names with their synonyms: c. 35,000 names in total. All published Rubiaceae species will be accounted for, i.e. the checklist will be global and fully inclusive. The checklist reflects a consensus among Rubiaceae and regional specialists, via a collaborative network co-ordinated at RBG Kew.

The checklist database includes at least the following data fields: scientific name (family, genus, species, infraspecific epithet; in separate fields), full bibliographic reference (including journal, vol., pages, and year of publication); synonyms (also with bibliographic references), status (accepted, synonym, basionym), common names (where available, with references), latest taxonomic scrutiny (verification), source database, and comment field. The checklist database includes distribution by country and TDWG code.

The database is based on a query from the International Plant Names Index (IPNI), with the addition of data and updates from taxonomic revisions, monographs, Floras and checklists, etc. Funding from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), under the Electronic Catalogue of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT) programme (based in Copenhagen) has been used to complete and disseminate the checklist by providing resources for verification, editing, co-ordination, and partner institute collaboration. Most of the funding was used to support the appointment of a Verification Coordinator for one year, and resource the collaboration of a Rubiaceae specialist from West Africa.

The World Rubiaceae Checklist is a major contribution to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), by working towards Target 1 A widely accessible working list of known plant species, as a step towards a complete world flora. It also provides a framework and initial data source in fulfilment of Target 2 A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, at national, regional and international levels, as the checklist database will have a field for conservation assessments.

*Govaerts R., Frodin D.G., Ruhsam M., Bridson, D.M. & A.P. Davis. 2007. World Checklist & Bibliography of Rubiaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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