1 Topic by DGERC

  • DGERC
  • DGERC
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  • From: SWSEIC
  • Registered: 31-05-2006
  • Posts: 232

Topic: Unpredictable results searching for common names in R6

Experiencing some odd behaviour when searching for species names, specifically English names, of certain species. Would be interested to know if others can replicate this. I have rebuilt all the indexes so that shouldn't be the issue and I'm running dictionary version 2M.

  • Open taxon browser window in R6 and go to the MARINE dictionary.

  • Using the binocular tool, Search for Asterias rubens in current checklist - it should find it and you can navigate to it in the checklist hierarchy.

  • If you have R6 set to display Common names in the hierarchy, it shows 'Common Starfish' in the tree, and the info pane shows Common Starfish at the top.

  • Search for 'Common starfish' - it is not found

Same happens for Spiny Starfish, Common Mussel, Sea fan and as far as I can see most if not all of the other English names of species in that dictionary. None appear to be searchable in that dictionary, yet all appear in the info pane.

  • Move to a different checklist - Ulster Museum checklist

  • Search for 'Common Starfish' - not found again but common name displays in tree and on info pane

  • Search for 'Sea fan' - found!

In that dictionary, some of the English names are searchable, some are not.

An unrestricted search across all dictionaries finds Common Starfish only in the MNCR Part 5 dictionary - an unpreferred dictionary.

The problem is not marine specific - I can similarly search for Greater Horntail Wasp and it is not found in the SYMPHYTA dictionary, but a search for Urocerus gigas displays the common name in the dictionary browser. An unrestricted search across all dictionaries only finds it in the Recorder 3 dictionary.

There may be some logic and explanation for this behaviour, but as yet I haven't been able to fathom what differs between names/dictionaries and would be grateful if someone can enlighten me. Or can anyone at least confirm the same behaviour in other version of R6?

I can of course easily work around this, but it does mean that searching through dictionaries via common names is unpredictable - and it's the apparent unpredictability that is most irritating.

MARK

Mark Pollitt
SWSEIC (formerly DGERC)

DGERC's Website

2 Reply by MikeWeideli

  • MikeWeideli
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  • From: Littlefield Consultancy
  • Registered: 05-07-2006
  • Posts: 2,645

Re: Unpredictable results searching for common names in R6

When you search within a Dictionary list then you will only find the common names that are actually  set up within that list. It is the same with synonyms. The common names that appears is the recommended common name for that taxa. This can come from any list.  Priority is given to the name attached to the taxon on the preferred list, but if there isn't one available then one is chosen from another  dictionary, based on priorities allocated to the list.

If this wasn't done then there would be far fewer common names displayed. However, I think it would be a good idea if searching for common names did  take a wider view and it is something that could be looked at.  Searching on a list should at least be able to find all common names displayed on that list.

Mike Weideli

MikeWeideli's Website

3 Reply by DGERC

  • DGERC
  • DGERC
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  • From: SWSEIC
  • Registered: 31-05-2006
  • Posts: 232

Re: Unpredictable results searching for common names in R6

Thanks for the explanation Mike. I agree that searching on a list should at least be able to find all common names displayed on that list - that would at least remove the unpredictability of searching via common name. It doesn't seem to be a big issue for the species groups that I usually see common names (e.g. birds) as I presume that the common names are associated with the preferred dictionaries. Just seemed odd when I spotted these and investigated.

Cheers

MARK

Mark Pollitt
SWSEIC (formerly DGERC)

DGERC's Website