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Re: Grass snake missing designations

Looks like there really is a designation or two missing for the grass snake (Natrix natrix). According to my 'get designations' XML Report, the grass snake has only a Berne Convention Appendix 3 and a Biodiversity Lists - Long List designation. According to the JNCC website's W&CAct page, it should have W&CAct sections 9(1) and 9(5). This is based on the preferred list.

On a related subject, Mike Weideli pointed out to me to be careful of cases where a species is designated at the group level, but the dictionary doesn't have the designated group as an ancestor of the species. For example, the taxon Reptilia is designated under the Berne Convention Appendix 3. This means that slow-worms, grass snakes, etc., which are children of Reptilia, are designated too. However, the Recorder 3.3 dictionary does not have the Reptilia node in the taxonomic hierachy and thus the designation cannot apply. This is because the R3.3 dictionary only goes up to the Order level in the hierarchy (Squamata, in the example above).

So, this is one to watch out for. I'm glad designations are going to be applied at species level in future!

Charles

Charles Roper
Digital Development Manager | Field Studies Council
http://www.field-studies-council.org | https://twitter.com/charlesroper | https://twitter.com/fsc_digital

2

Re: Grass snake missing designations

Charles,

JNCC are currently looking at designations within Recorder and I shall ensure that this and other related issues are discussed when we next meet.

John

3

Re: Grass snake missing designations

Thanks John.

Charles Roper
Digital Development Manager | Field Studies Council
http://www.field-studies-council.org | https://twitter.com/charlesroper | https://twitter.com/fsc_digital