How to use the Weevil Site

In addition to this page instructions on how to use scratchpads can be found at http://scratchpads.eu/help Any questions you have which are not answered there or below please e-mail c.lyal@nhm.ac.uk.  The instructions below cover some of the most common activities; as use develops we can add more.

While anyone can look at the site’s content and use the links, to add to the content and make use of the blogs, forums etc you have to be registered as a contributor.

Content of the Site

The site holds TAXON PAGES for all ranks between superfamily and subgenus; some species have been added and more will be as needed.  Each taxon page holds a set of automatic search blocks, and contributors can add text (descriptions, ecology, synonymy etc.).  More detail below.

The taxon pages can be found by navigating the TREE on the left hand side of the screen.  Two classifications are given for comparison.

A BIBLIOGRAPHY can be added to by any contributor; URLs and pdfs can be attached.

LINKS to useful weevil sites.

FORUM pages for discussions.

Searching for content

A SEARCH BOX is on the left side of the screen under the two classifications.  To search all of the site, type the term wanted and click 'Go!’  

To find a taxon page do a 'Taxonomy' search: 

  1. Click on 'Taxonomy' above the search box
  2. Wait until a small circle appears at the right of the box.  
  3. Type the taxon name.  
  4. If the name is in the Alonso-Zarzaga & Lyal tree (does not include most species and synonyms) the name will appear below the search box (or a selection of names with the starting with the same letters if you have only typed part of the name).  
  5. Select the name you want (even if there is only one) and then click on 'Go!' A taxon page will open.

Navigating the Trees

Click on the cross to the left of the names on the classification tree on the left of the screen to navigate down and then click on the name to open the taxon page.

The site currently holds two classifications: one emended from Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal (1999) which extends to genus level, and one from Oberprieler et al (2007) which goes only as far as subfamily. For discussion on these two classifications see ‘Notes on Classifications' link at the top left of the screen.

Using the Taxon Pages

To find a taxon page use either the SEARCH BOX or the TREE.  

Although there are only a very few species currently included, more can be added as we require them. Only users with appropriate permission will be able to add species or change the tree (for example by moving genera between supra-generic groups); currently only the Administrator can do this.

Click on the cross (+) next to a taxon name to open the tree 'beneath' that name.  Click the name to open a page where information, images etc can be added. Each page contains a set of ‘panels', as follows:

Taxon Information.  Includes added text on Descriptions, Ecology/biology and Economic notes. Any registered contributor can add to these, and if we find we want additional content types to this panel I can add them.  This will enable contributors to build taxon pages that can be used either just on the site, downloaded to Encyclopedia of life (in future) or form part of a publication (they can be kept private until sharing is required by the author).

Bibliography. Will only be visible if there is content.  Automatically lists publications relevant to the taxon from the full bibliography being created for the site.  Clicking on a citation will open the full reference, including a URL if present or a pdf if attached.

Google Scholar. References generated on the fly from a search of Google Scholar for the taxon. It will return any use of the name, or where the name forms part of another term.  Currently not functioning.

Biodiversity Heritage Library. References generated on the fly from a search of the BHL for the taxon name.  Clicking on a citation will open the relevant page(s).

Image galleries. Images uploaded to the site for the taxon by registered contributors. Currently with limited content.

Fickr Images. Images resulting from a simple web search of Flickr.  Can be opened to a full view and their source found through a right-click of the mouse. Like most web searches, this will return any image with the same name, so as usual it does show misidentifications, pictures of miscellaneous classical gods, boats etc.

GBIF Map. This is generated on the fly from data moderated through GBIF, and reflects only what GBIF can access under the name. As we include species on the site the information may become more complete.

Yahoo! Images. Images resulting from a simple web search of Yahoo.  Can be opened to a full view and their source found through a right-click of the mouse. Like most web searches, this will return any image with the same name, so as usual it does show misidentifications, pictures of miscellaneous classical gods, boats etc.  

NCBI. Links to Genbank for sequence data for the taxon. The panel also includes some external links to name servers.

Wikipedia.  Wikipedia content for the taxon (if any).

Resources

On the left-hand column.  Provides links to three areas: 

  1. key web sites of interest to weevil taxonomists. Registered contributors are invited to add to these.
  2. the bibliography.
  3. the forum discussions.

Weevil Forums

Contributors can use this area for on-line discussions.  We have created a number of potential subjects, but more can be added. To add a new topic select a forum by clicking on the heading, and then use the 'post a new forum topic' command at the top of the forum pages.

Bibliography

References to publications of interest.  Each can be opened to show the full reference.  If a pdf is attached this can be opened.  Alternatively a URL or handle can be added to link to the original.  The bibliography can be downloaded.  Contributors are invited to add to the list.

To add to the Bibliography:

On the right of the screen click on ‘Bibliographic reference’ under ‘Create / add content’.  This allows addition of single references.

Alternatively, on the left side of the screen under your name (registered contributors only) click on ‘Biblio’ then ‘Import’.  This will enable you to import larger sets of content, such as EndNote XML files.

Private Areas

If you need a shared area where a small group can work together without sharing their discussions please let me know at c.lyal@nhm.ac.uk I will set up such an area for your eyes only.

 

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith