NMITA Data Dictionary

Table definitions

Table Name

Table Definition

An associative entity used for linking taxonomic units (genus, subgenus, species)
to locality and stratigraphic information.

A higher taxonomic category to which a genus has been assigned. This entity
involves a recursive loop, which allows for inclusion of taxa at the family,
subfamily, and tribe level. Family, subfamily,and tribe names are formal latinized
scientific names.

An associative entity containing states of morphologic characters that can be
used to distinguish a family.

An associative entity containing statesof morphologic characters that can be
used to describe a genus.

A genus consists of a group of species, and is formally named following a code
of biological nomenclature. Type species are the species designated in the original
genus description as the name-bearer. All taxa in NMITA have genus names. However,
not all taxa in NMITA have subgenus and/or species names.

Images (usually photographs) associated with taxonomic units (genera, subgenera,
species).

The exact location in which specimens of a particular taxon (genus, subgenus,
species) have been collected. Localities occur within stratigraphic units, and
are assigned locality numbers.

Morphologic features, which distinguishm taxonomic units (family, genus, species)
and are commonly used in identification. Each character has two or more states.

A species is the fundamental unit of evolution. Species are named following
a code of biological nomenclature. Species names are followed by the name of the
person(s), who published the original species description (author), plus the year of
publication (date). Type specimens are the specimen(s) designated in the
original species descriptions as name-bearers, and have associated locality information.
Only holotypes are recorded in NMITA. Not all taxa in NMITA are identified
to species.

An associative entity containing states of morphologic characters that can be
used to describe a species.

Assignment of a geologic age range to a stratigraphic unit. Ages may consist
of: (1) ages in the global chronostratigraphic time scale (e.g. epochs), (2) interpreted
chronostratigraphic ages in millions of years, (3) voucher ages provided by
calcareous nannoplankton zones. Geologic ages and their correlations are based
on Berggren et al. (1995). All ages are recorded as a range (i.e., minimum to
maximum).

The relative ordering of chronostratigraphic ages (epochs and subepochs) from oldest
to youngest following the time scale of Berggren et al (1995).

A subdivision of a genus. Not all of the taxa in the NMITA are assigned to
subgenera.

A subdivision of a species. Not all of the taxa in the NMITA are assigned
to species.

Other names that have been used for the same genus.

Other names that have been used for the same species.

An informal name applied to a taxonomic group.

Field Name

Field Definition

Field Is PK

Field Is FK

Field Datatype

The filename of an enlarged image (~9
00 x 900 pixels).

Inclusion of the unit in the cc97 occurrence
database (0=not included; 1=included).

The specimen number that has been assigned
to the specimen in the CCD (Cenozoic
Coral Database).

The name of the general category of
morphologic features to which a morphologic
character belongs.

The code for a state of a morphologic
character. Morphologic characters are
subdivided into two or more exclusive
character states.

The name for a state of a morphologic
character.Morphologic characters are
subdivided into two or more exclusive
character states.

For previously published photographs:
The surname of the author of the publication.

For previously published photographs:
The plate and/or figure number of the
photograph in the publication. Plate
numbers should be preceded by "Pl." and
figure numbers by "Fig.".

For previously published photographs:
The year that the publication was published.

The name assigned to a locality.

A locality number referring to a specific
locality or site at which a sample was
collected. Panama Paleontology Project
locality numbers begin with "PPP". Naturhistorisches
Museum Basel locality numbers begin with
"NMB".

Name of the country (or state in the
U.S.) in which a group of samples (=faunule)
was collected.

Portion of the country in which the
group of samples (=faunule) was collected.

A code (Yes, No) indicating whether
the morphologic character is diagnostic
for the species.

A unique number assigned to the occurrence
of a taxon (genus, subgenus, species)
at a specific locality.

The units used in the stratigraphic
section (STRAT_SECTION) (e.g., feet,
meters).

Oldest Epoch in the chronostratigraphic
time scale of Berggren et al. (1995)
to which a stratigraphic unit has been
assigned. Valid Epoch names include:
Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene,
Pliocene, Pleistocene, Neogene, Holocene,
Recent.

Youngest Epoch in the chronostratigraphic
time scale of Berggren et al. (1995)
to which a stratigraphic unit has been
assigned. Valid Epoch names include:
Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene,
Pliocene, Pleistocene, Neogene, Holocene,
Recent.

The name of the author(s) who formally
described and named the "family". Last
name only.

A number indicating the relative position
that a "family" is listed on a web page.

The year in which the formal desciption
of the family was published.

A "family" is a formal latinized name
(uninomial, plural) of a higher taxon,
established following a code of nomenclature.
The name is derived from the name of
the type genus, and spelled with a capital
letter.
Valid levels include (from highest to
lowest):
Family (-idae)
Subfamily (-inae)
Tribe (-ina)

The formal latinized name of the "family"
in the next higher level of the taxonomic
hierarchy to which a "family" belongs.
This field is left blank if FAMILY_TYPE_CD=F

A single-letter code indicating the
level of "family" in the taxonomic hierachy.
F= Family (-idae)
S= Subfamily (-inae)
T= Tribe (-ina)

Name of the Formation to which the stratigraphic
unit has been assigned. Formations are
formally named and defined following
the International Stratigraphic Code.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a given genus.

A code (Yes, No) indicating whether
the morphologic character is diagnostic
for the genus.

Genus order is a number used for listing
genera on a web page.

The url for the genus page of a given
genus in NMITA.

The year in which the original description
of a genus was published.

The filename for the thumbnail image
selected to represent a given genus.
Thumbnail images are ~ 150 x 150 pixels.

A genus is a formal latinized name (singular,
uninomial, spelled with a capital letter,
italized), established following a code
of nomenclature. The name is unique within
the kingdom. Although latinized, endings
are variable and vary in gender. All
taxa in NMITA have genus names. However,
not all taxa in NMITA have subgenus and
species names.

The highest elevation of the stratigraphic
unit shown in the stratigraphic section
(STRAT_SECTION).

The catalog number that has been assigned
to the holotype by the museum.

The abbreviation for the museum in which
the holotype is deposited.
Abbreviations include:
AMNH= American Museum of Natural History
BMNH= The Natural History Museum in London
NMB= Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
YPM= Yale Peabody Museum
USNM= US National Museum of Natural
History

Oldest absolute age date that has been
assigned to a stratigraphic unit.

Youngest absolute age date that has
been assigned to a stratigraphic unit.

Time intervals used to measure absolute
time in either millions (Ma) or thousands
(Ka) of years.

The filename of a regular image (~ 450
x 450 pixels).

A unique number that has been assigned
to every image in NMITA.

Image order is a number used for organizing
images on a web page.

Types of illustrations include: natural
light, SEM, thin sections, and field
photos.

The orientation of a specimen shown
in an image. For bivalves, the type of
valve (right, left, both). For gastropods,
the orientation of the aperture (apertural,
side, etc). For corals, colony vs calice;
transverse vs longitudinal cuts.

More detailed specifications regarding
specimen orientation.

Special remarks regarding the specimen
shown in an image that are not covered
in other fields.

Latitude (in degrees, minutes, seconds)
in which a group of samples (=faunule)
was collected. North is assumed.

Name of city, river, or geographic area
in which a group of samples (=faunule)
was collected.

Longitude (in degrees, minutes, seconds,
direction) in which a group of samples
(=faunule) was collected. West is assumed.

The lowest elevation of the stratigraphic
unit shown in the stratigraphic section
(STRAT_SECTION).

An abbreviation for a morphologic character.

The name of a morphologic character.
Morphologic characters are subdivided
into two or more exclusive character
states.

A number indicating the relative position
that a morphologic character is listed
on a web page. This field allows morphologic
characters to be listed on web pages
in a consistent order. The number is
unique for a morphologic character. States
of the same morphologic character are
assigned the same number.

The url for the web page defining a
morphologic character and its states.

The catalog number that has been assigned
to the specimen in the photograph by
the museum.

Oldest calcareous nannoplankton zone 
(Martini, 1971) to which a stratigraphic
unit has been assigned.

Youngest calcareous nannoplankton zone 
(Martini, 1971) to which a stratigraphic
unit has been assigned.

A code indicating whether the original
genus name differs from the genus name
used in NMITA. 0=not original, 1=original,
2= not applicable. If the original genus
name differs from the name used in NMITA,
the author and date of a species are
indicated in parentheses.

The genus name used in the original
desciption of a species. Note: if the
original genus name differs from the
genus name used in NMITA, the author
and date of a species are indicated in
parentheses.

Any additional specimen numbers that
have been assigned to a specimen.

The header used on the species page.

Some images are copyrighted by original
contributors and/or institutions. This
field contains the names of individuals
and/or institutions who hold the copyright,
and the copyright date.

A code indicating whether the information
about a given genus is ready for dessiminating
on NMITA. NULL=yes, 0=no.

Region of the Caribbean Sea in which
the set of samples (=faunule) was collected.

The abbreviation for the museum in which
the holotype is deposited.
Abbreviations include:
AMNH= American Museum of Natural History
BMNH= The Natural History Museum in London
NMB= Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
YPM= Yale Peabody Museum
USNM= US National Museum of Natural
History

Roll (and sometimes frame) numbers for
original photographs that are used to
create images.

The length of the scale bar (metric)
in an image. Numbers should be followed
by the unit of measure (e.g., "mm").

A citation or reference for the occurrence.

A species epithet is used for species
that have not been formally assigned
names or whose names are uncertain. Examples
of epithets are: cf., aff., ?, sp. Usage
follows: BENGSTON, P.  1988.  Open nomenclature.
Palaeontology, 31:223-227. Species epithets
are optional.

The filename for the thumbnail image
selected to represent a given species. 
Thumbnail images are ~ 150 x 150 pixels.

Species order is a number used for organizing
a list of species on a web page.

The url for the species page of a given
species in NMITA.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a species.

A species is a formal latinized name
(singular, uninomial, spelled with a
lower case letter, italized), established
following a code of nomenclature. The
name is unique within the genus, and
is used together with the genus name
in the form of a binomen to refer to
a species. Typically genus names are
nouns whereas species names are adjectives
or qualifiers. Although latinized, endings
are variable and agree in gender with
the genus name. All taxa in NMITA have
genus names. However, not all taxa in
NMITA have subgenus and species names.

A species research number is a reference
number assigned by a researcher to a
given species in analyses of biodiversity
through geologic time or in community
analyses.

The total number of species of a given
genus in NMITA.

The year in which the original species
description was published.

The elevation of a locality within a
stratigraphic section (i.e., STRAT_SECTION
in STRAT).

A number indicating the relative position
in the geologic time scale. This field
allows the ages of occurrences to be
listed on web pages in chronostratigraphic
order. Entries in this field are unique.

Name or abbreviation referring to the
stratigraphic section in which the stratigraphic
unit is located. Where applicable, this
name or abbreviation should be one assigned
by a collecting project or museum.

Abbreviation for a stratigraphic unit.

Identification number for a stratigraphic
unit (or faunule) in cc97 occurrence
database.

Name used to refer to a stratigraphic
unit (sometimes refered to as a "faunule").
A stratigraphic unit consists of a group
of localities from the same geographic
area, having the same geologic age.

The units in which the elevation of
a locality on a stratigraphic section
was recorded.

Portion of the oldest Epoch assigned
to a stratigraphic unit. Valid sub-epochs
include:
For Paleocene: late.
For Eocene: early, middle, late.
For Oligocene: early, late.
For Miocene: early, middle, late.
For Pliocene: early, late.
For Pleistocene: early, middle, late.
If no subepoch is known, then the name
of the Epoch is entered. No sub-epochs
should be given for Holocene and Recent.

Portion of the youngest Epoch assigned
to a stratigraphic unit. Valid sub-epochs
include:
For Paleocene: late.
For Eocene: early, middle, late.
For Oligocene: early, late.
For Miocene: early, middle, late.
For Pliocene: early, late.
For Pleistocene: early, middle, late.
If no subepoch is known, then the name
of the Epoch is entered. No sub-epochs
should be given for Holocene and Recent.

Portion of the Formation to which the
stratigraphic unit has been assigned.
Valid entried are: Lower, Middle, Upper.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a subgenus.

Subgenus order is a number used for
organizing a list of subgenera on a web
page.

The year in which the original description
of a subgenus was published.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a given subspecies.

Subspecies order is a number used for
listing subspecies on a web page.

The year in which the original description
of a given subspecies was published.

A subgenus is a taxonomic category between
genus and species. Like a genus, a subgenus
is a formal latinized name (singular,
uninomial, spelled with a capital letter).
A subgenus name is always used in conjunction
with a genus name; it is placed in parentheses
after the genus name.

A subspecies is a taxonomic category
below the species level. Like a species,
a subspecies is a formal latinized name
(singular, spelled with a lower case
letter). A subspecies name is a trinomial
and always used in conjunction with a
species name; it is placed after the
species name.

Other numbers assigned to the same locality.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a genus that has been placed
in synonymy.

A different genus name, which has been
used for the same genus.

The year in which the original description
of a synonymous genus was published.

The name of the genus to which the synonymous
species has been assigned.

A different species name, which has
been used for the same species.

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described a species that has been placed
in synonymy.

The year in which the original description
of a synonymous species was published.

TAXON

A taxon is an informal name that is
commonly applied to a taxonomic group.
Valid entries include: 
Elasmobranchii
Teleostei
Azooxanthellate Coral
Bivalve
Cheilostome Bryozoa
Foraminifera
Gastropod
Ostracode
Zooxanthellate Coral
Cylostome Bryozoa

The surname of the person(s) who originally
described the type species.

The original genus name assigned to
the type species of a genus.

The name of the species designated as
the type species of a given genus.

The year in which the original description
of a type species was published.

The type status of a specimen. Primary
types are: holotype, syntype, paratype,
neotype, lectotype, and paralectotype.
Secondary types are: figured, measured,
mentioned or voucher. Nontypes are indicated
by "Nontype".