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{{short description|Online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology}}
{{advert|date=January 2016}}
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'''Animal Diversity Web''' (ADW) is an online [[database]] that collects the [[natural history]], [[Biological classification|classification]], [[species]] characteristics, [[conservation biology]], and [[Range (biology)|distribution]] [[information]] on thousands of species of [[animal]]s. It includes thousands of [[photographs]], hundreds of [[media clip|sound clip]]s, and a [[Virtuality|virtual]] [[museum]].
The '''Animal Diversity Web''' ('''ADW''') is a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit group]] that hosts an online [[database]] site that collects [[natural history]], [[Biological classification|classification]], [[species]] characteristics, [[conservation biology]], and [[Range (biology)|distribution]] information on species of [[animal]]s. The website includes photographs, [[media clip|sound clip]]s, and a [[Virtuality|virtual]] [[museum]].


The local, [[relational database]] is written and maintained by staff and student contributors from the [[University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADW: About Us |url=https://animaldiversity.org/about/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=animaldiversity.org}}</ref> It can be accessed through the web and mobile apps.<ref>Tarng, Wermhuar, et al. “The Development of a Virtual Marine Museum for Educational Applications.” ''Journal of Educational Technology Systems'', vol. 37, no. 1, 2008, pp. 39–59., doi:10.2190/et.37.1.d.</ref> It offers resources for K–12 instructors,<ref>''Animal Diversity Web'', www.learnnc.org/lp/external/1798?style=print.</ref><ref name="TADW">[http://animaldiversity.org The Animal Diversity Web] Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2017.</ref> and functions as a virtual museum containing mostly mammals and a collection of skulls that can be virtually handled.
==Overview==
The ADW acts as an online [[encyclopedia]], with each individual species account displaying basic information specific to that species. The website used a local, [[relational database]] written by staff and contributors. Each species account includes [[geographic]] [[Range (biology)|range]], [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]], physical description, development, [[ecosystem]] roles, [[reproduction]], [[life expectancy|life span]], [[communication]] and [[perception]], [[behavior]], [[food]] habits, [[predation]], and [[conservation status]]. The organization of the site reinforces past biology knowledge by providing sharp images and showing common [[phylum|phyla]] on the home page.<ref>Spelman, Lucy H. Animal Encyclopedia: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More! National Geographic, 2012.</ref>

The Animal Diversity Web offers additional resources other than an extensive database. The website also offers a virtual museum and a cell phone app for quick reference to match the fast lifestyle of present college students. The virtual museum contains mostly mammals and has a large collection of skulls you can virtually handle giving the user interactive experiences.<ref>Tarng, Wermhuar, et al. “The Development of a Virtual Marine Museum for Educational Applications.” ''Journal of Educational Technology Systems'', vol. 37, no. 1, 2008, pp. 39–59., doi:10.2190/et.37.1.d.</ref> The Animal Diversity Web is a non-profit site and is written largely for college students.<ref name=":0">Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2017. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed at <nowiki>http://animaldiversity.org</nowiki>.</ref>

Although the ADW primarily targets audiences of higher education, it also provides resources for K-12 instructors and its user-friendly interface allows for broad application.<ref>''Animal Diversity Web'', www.learnnc.org/lp/external/1798?style=print.</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
The ADW was created by Philip Myers, a former biology professor at the [[University of Michigan]], in 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ur.umich.edu/update/archives/130104/adw|title=Revamped Animal Diversity Web reaching millions worldwide 18 years after launch|last=Erickson|first=Jim|date=4 January 2013|work=The University Record|accessdate=25 August 2013}}</ref> The site now contains over 2,150 accounts of animal species along with over 11,500 images and 725 sounds.{{Update inline|?=yes|date=January 2018}} These numbers will continue to grow as the developers of the website plan to add 250 species by the end of 2017.<ref name=":0" />
The ADW was created in 1995 by Philip Myers, a former biology professor at the University of Michigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ur.umich.edu/update/archives/130104/adw|title=Revamped Animal Diversity Web reaching millions worldwide 18 years after launch|last=Erickson|first=Jim|date=4 January 2013|work=The University Record|access-date=25 August 2013|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907023211/https://www.ur.umich.edu/update/archives/130104/adw|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|2022|June}}, the site contained records for approximately 2,150 animal species, represented by 11,500 images and 725 sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADW: Statistics and Facts |url=https://animaldiversity.org/about/stats/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=animaldiversity.org}}</ref> The ADW has over 250 accounts of higher [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] groups.<ref name="TADW" />


⚫
Most of the contributors to the website are undergraduate students. ADW has collaborated with 30 colleges and universities across the United States. The undergraduate students often submit reports on species as part of their course requirements.<ref name="Parr">{{cite journal| doi=10.2481/dsj.4.1| title=Building a biodiversity content management system for science, education, and outreach| year=2005| last1=Parr| first1=CS| last2=Espinosa| first2=R.| last3=Dewey| first3=T.| last4=Hammond| first4=G.| last5=Myers| first5=P.| journal=Data Science Journal| volume=4| pages=1–11| doi-access=free}}</ref> Each account is edited by both the professors and the staff at the ADW.<ref name="Parr" /> {{as of|2017|November}}, the Animal Diversity Web had 3,675 contributors.<ref name="TADW" />
Along with species accounts, the ADW has over 250 accounts of higher [[taxonomic]] groups.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
Most of the contributors to the website are undergraduate students. ADW has collaborated with 30 [[college]]s and [[universities]] across the [[United States Congress|United States.]] The undergraduate students often submit reports on species as part of their course requirements.<ref name=":1">Parr, C.S. et al., (2006). Building a biodiversity content management system for science, education, and outreach. Data Science Journal. 4, pp.1–11. DOI: <nowiki>http://doi.org/10.2481/dsj.4.1</nowiki></ref> Each account is researched using [[peer reviewed]] [[scientific journals]] and [[research]] papers and is edited by both the [[professors]] and the staff at the ADW. This provides opportunities for students to experience real-world examples of writing skills and biology intertwining and also adds efficient contributions to the site. Experts at the University of Michigan and elsewhere also provide content at higher taxonomic levels.<ref name=":1" /> As of November 2017, The Animal Diversity Web had 3,675 contributors.<ref name=":0" />

== Animal Diversity Web Resource ==
The ADW is a great resource when constructing scholarly documents. All species accounts have been reviewed and approved several times over, providing the most accurate data. ADW is highly ranked by Google and Google Scholar search engines and is often the first result when searching for animal names or animal databases.<ref name=":0" /> Scholarly journals often draw from the ADW database when they are looking at a broad range of species in their study. In one certain study, they collected data to determine animals’ sensitivity to fragmentation. The ADW and other databases allowed them to compile evidence suggesting there are important differences among taxa in how they respond to habitat loss, depending upon habitat specialization and life history.<ref>Keinath, Douglas A., et al. “A Global Analysis of Traits Predicting Species Sensitivity to Habitat Fragmentation.” Global Ecology and Biogeography, vol. 26, no. 1, 2016, pp. 115–127., doi:10.1111/geb.12509.</ref>

Some scholarly writers will reference the Animal Diversity Web source regardless of the size of the study. One journal about adaptive evolution in pheasants references the habitat elevation of three different types of pheasant species directly from the ADW webpage.<ref>Gu, Peng, et al. “Evidence of Adaptive Evolution of Alpine Pheasants to High-Altitude Environment from Mitogenomic Perspective.” ''Mitochondrial DNA'', vol. 27, no. 1, Apr. 2015, pp. 455–462., doi:10.3109/19401736.2014.900667.</ref>

The ADW is also a potential resource in the field. Biologists can use the sounds, image gallery, or descriptions to properly distinguish between closely related species.<ref>Salman, Manar Dawood, et al. “Sorting of Glossiphonia Complanata (Linnaeus, 1758) ( Rhynchobdellida : Glossiphoniidae ) from Three Aquatic Plants in Tigris River within Baghdad City.” ''Egyptian Journal of Petroleum'', vol. 26, no. 3, 2017, pp. 851–853., doi:10.1016/j.ejpe.2016.11.001.</ref>

== Animal Diversity Web Educational Importance ==
Experts believe ADW can be implemented as a teaching and learning tool in order to improve research and writing skills in college biology courses. ADW encourages inquiry-driven learning methods by showing methods of science in action.

Student authorship of a species focuses on student research and writing in an engaging way. Students run into problems such as limited information or difficult language the helps them sharpen their skills. Publishing a species account gives students opportunities to highlight a real-world project that provides them insight about their desired field.<ref>Yahnke, Christopher J., et al. “Animal Diversity Web as a Teaching & Learning Tool to Improve Research & Writing Skills in College Biology Courses.” ''The American Biology Teacher'', vol. 75, no. 7, 2013, pp. 494–498., doi:10.1525/abt.2013.75.7.9.

</ref>


== Partnerships ==
== Partnerships ==
ADW has partnered with EOL (Encyclopedia of Life) in order to allow a wider audience to view the information.<ref>“Animal Diversity Web.” ''Encyclopedia of Life'', eol.org/content_partners/8.</ref> BioKIDS Critter Catalog is a partnered website also created by the University of Michigan that provides a simplified version of the animal accounts suitable for children K-12.<ref>“Critter Catalog.” ''BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Critter Catalog'', www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/.</ref> AmphibiaWeb is a partner that provides information on amphibian conservation, natural history, declines, and taxonomy.<ref>“AmphibiaWeb.” ''AmphibiaWeb'', amphibiaweb.org/.</ref>
ADW has partnered with the [[Encyclopedia of Life]] (EOL).<ref>“Animal Diversity Web.” ''Encyclopedia of Life'', eol.org/content_partners/8.</ref> The BioKIDS Critter Catalog, created by the University of Michigan, provides a simplified version of the animal accounts.<ref>“Critter Catalog.” ''BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Critter Catalog'', www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/.</ref> [[AmphibiaWeb]] is a partner that provides information on amphibian species.<ref>“AmphibiaWeb.” ''AmphibiaWeb'', amphibiaweb.org/.</ref>


== Staff ==
== Staff ==
The current staff of the Animal Diversity Web is employed at The University of Michigan.
The current staff of the Animal Diversity Web is employed at the University of Michigan ({{As of|2017|lc=y}}):

'''Dr.Phil Myers, Ph.D'''

⚫
· Director and founder of the Animal Diversity Web. Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Zoology and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.<ref name=":0" />

· Myers has recently retired but continues to focus on the natural history, population biology, and systemics of small mammals, rodents, and insectivores.<ref>“Phil Myers.” ''Phil Myers | U-M LSA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)'', lsa.umich.edu/eeb/people/faculty-emeriti/pmyers.html.</ref>

'''Dr. Tricia Jones, Ph.D.'''

⚫
· Educational researcher, assessment and usability coordinator, and site design consultant.

'''Roger Espinosa, M.S.'''

⚫
· Technical Lead: content management, XML templates, search engines, taxonomy database.

'''Dr. Tanya Dewey, Ph.D'''

⚫
· Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.

'''George Hammond, M.S.'''


⚫
*Phil Myers, Ph.D.: Director and founder of the Animal Diversity Web. Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Zoology and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.<ref name="TADW" />
⚫
· Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.<ref name=":0" />
⚫
*Tricia Jones, Ph.D.: Educational researcher, assessment and usability coordinator, and site design consultant.
⚫
*Roger Espinosa, M.S.: Technical lead in content management, [[XML template system|XML templates]], search engines, and taxonomy database.
⚫
*Tanya Dewey, Ph.D.: Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.
⚫
*George Hammond, M.S.: Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.<ref name="TADW" />


==References==
==References==
Line 62: Line 26:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikidata property|P4024|P5036}}
*[http://animaldiversity.org/ Animal Diversity Web]
*[http://animaldiversity.org/ Animal Diversity Web]


⚫
[[Category:Biological databases]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1995]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1995]]
⚫
[[Category:Online taxonomy databases]]

Latest revision as of 17:00, 7 April 2024

The Animal Diversity Web (ADW) is a non-profit group that hosts an online database site that collects natural history, classification, species characteristics, conservation biology, and distribution information on species of animals. The website includes photographs, sound clips, and a virtual museum.

The local, relational database is written and maintained by staff and student contributors from the University of Michigan.[1] It can be accessed through the web and mobile apps.[2] It offers resources for K–12 instructors,[3][4] and functions as a virtual museum containing mostly mammals and a collection of skulls that can be virtually handled.

Background[edit]

The ADW was created in 1995 by Philip Myers, a former biology professor at the University of Michigan.[5] As of June 2022, the site contained records for approximately 2,150 animal species, represented by 11,500 images and 725 sounds.[6] The ADW has over 250 accounts of higher taxonomic groups.[4]

Most of the contributors to the website are undergraduate students. ADW has collaborated with 30 colleges and universities across the United States. The undergraduate students often submit reports on species as part of their course requirements.[7] Each account is edited by both the professors and the staff at the ADW.[7] As of November 2017, the Animal Diversity Web had 3,675 contributors.[4]

Partnerships[edit]

ADW has partnered with the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL).[8] The BioKIDS Critter Catalog, created by the University of Michigan, provides a simplified version of the animal accounts.[9] AmphibiaWeb is a partner that provides information on amphibian species.[10]

Staff[edit]

The current staff of the Animal Diversity Web is employed at the University of Michigan (as of 2017):

  • Phil Myers, Ph.D.: Director and founder of the Animal Diversity Web. Curator of Mammals in the Museum of Zoology and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.[4]
  • Tricia Jones, Ph.D.: Educational researcher, assessment and usability coordinator, and site design consultant.
  • Roger Espinosa, M.S.: Technical lead in content management, XML templates, search engines, and taxonomy database.
  • Tanya Dewey, Ph.D.: Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.
  • George Hammond, M.S.: Content expert, curriculum consultant, and ADW upkeep.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ADW: About Us". animaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  2. ^ Tarng, Wermhuar, et al. “The Development of a Virtual Marine Museum for Educational Applications.” Journal of Educational Technology Systems, vol. 37, no. 1, 2008, pp. 39–59., doi:10.2190/et.37.1.d.
  3. ^ Animal Diversity Web, www.learnnc.org/lp/external/1798?style=print.
  4. ^ a b c d e The Animal Diversity Web Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2017.
  5. ^ Erickson, Jim (4 January 2013). "Revamped Animal Diversity Web reaching millions worldwide 18 years after launch". The University Record. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  6. ^ "ADW: Statistics and Facts". animaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  7. ^ a b Parr, CS; Espinosa, R.; Dewey, T.; Hammond, G.; Myers, P. (2005). "Building a biodiversity content management system for science, education, and outreach". Data Science Journal. 4: 1–11. doi:10.2481/dsj.4.1.
  8. ^ “Animal Diversity Web.” Encyclopedia of Life, eol.org/content_partners/8.
  9. ^ “Critter Catalog.” BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Critter Catalog, www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/.
  10. ^ “AmphibiaWeb.” AmphibiaWeb, amphibiaweb.org/.

External links[edit]

Wikidata has the properties:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Animal_Diversity_Web&oldid=1217747418"