FAQ
General
What sources does Balearica use to gather data?
Balearica integrates multiple data sources to ensure a comprehensive repository of biodiversity knowledge. These sources include field observations, museum records, genetic information, and species distribution data. While the majority of the data comes from public databases, it also includes information from scientific reports and grey literature. Key sources include: Bioatles, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Fauna Europaea, GenBank National Center for Biotechnology Information, Barcode of Life Data Systems.
What taxonomic classification is used as a reference?
Balearica follows the taxonomic nomenclature provided by the Catalogue of Life to ensure standardization across the platform. If a taxon is not listed in the Catalogue of Life, we reference other authoritative sources to maintain accuracy and consistency. More information can be found here.
How do you deal with taxonomic synonyms?
Synonyms are alternative scientific names that refer to the same accepted taxon. In Balearica, a taxonomic synonym is indicated by "Synonym," and this information appears below the taxonomy section. We are working on including as many synonyms as possible to increase the probability of finding your taxon of interest. If synonyms are missing in Balearica, please contact us through the Community web page.
Can I freely download the data from the Platform?
Yes, you can freely download data from the platform. Checklists, occurrence records (including maps), and genetic data can be downloaded easily by clicking the respective Download button. For advanced users, data retrieval can also be performed via the API.
When was the last update, and how often is the Balearica updated?
Currently, it is not possible to see the date of the last update, but we are working on it. An efficient pipeline will be developed to ensure Balearica remains up to date. As the project is still in its early stages, we appreciate your patience. Stay tuned to the Balearica Blog for the latest updates and news.
Why is my taxon of interest not showing in Balearica?
There are several possible reasons why your taxon of interest does not appear in Balearica:
1) The taxon has not been recorded in the Balearic Islands. If there are no known records for this species in the region, it may not be listed.
2) The taxon is missing from our database. If you believe the species should be included, please contact us. We will conduct a detailed review and work to incorporate it into Balearica if necessary. To contact with us you can visit the Community page.
Why do some terrestrial species have distribution points in the sea (and vice versa)?
The geographic precision of occurrence records depends on the accuracy of the data provided by contributors. Some records may have intentionally high uncertainty (e.g., protected species), which can result in terrestrial species appearing in the sea and vice versa. Additionally, errors in recorded coordinates can sometimes lead to misplaced occurrences. For detailed studies, we recommend downloading the occurrence data and carefully reviewing it to ensure accuracy within your study area.
Genetics
Which genetic markers are included in Balearica? Why some balearic species, for which I know there is genetic information in public repositories, do not show up on the platform?
Balearica includes only genetic markers that we considered useful for biodiversity research. As a result, some specific sequences may not be available on the platform. You can find a list of the genetic markers included in Balearica here. Be aware that sequences regarding complete genomes, mitogenomes, shot-gun (low coverage) sequencing, transcriptomes, and alike are not yet included in Balearica.
Managing multiple genetic databases is a complex task, and occasional inconsistencies or missing data may occur. If you notice any issues, please contact us through the system available on the Community page.
How do you deal with genetic marker synonyms?
Genetic marker nomenclature is not standardized across genetic databases, making it challenging to unify synonymous markers. However, in Balearica, we actively search for genetic marker synonyms and group each marker under a unique name to ensure consistency. A detailed list of genetic marker synonyms and the strings used to retrieve data from GenBank can be found here. If you have suggestions for improving our genetic marker synonym list, please reach out through the Community.
Can I download FASTA files?
No, FASTA files cannot be downloaded directly from Balearica. However, you can download the genetic information available in the genetic table. If you need FASTA files for your taxon of interest, you can use biodumpy, a Python package developed by our team. We plan to publish a tutorial soon to make this process easier. Stay tuned to the Balearica Blog for updates and news.