Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) OdonataCentral makes use of relational databases to dynamically generate maps, checklists, and accompanying data.
The initial distribution data used on the site is based on the North American Dot Map Project. A project involving more than 100 contributors from the Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) community. The goal of this project was to accurately document the distributions of all North American species. The site has now expanded to cover both North and South America.
The site employs a dynamic delivery system that also captures user-submitted data. All records are vetted by experts to ensure the highest scientific integrity. Not only can you view the distribution of any species in North America (and ultimately the entire New World), but you can generate maps and checklists on the fly. You can also submit verifiable records to be included in the database.
The site and our growing knowledge of Odonata distributions depends on the record contributions of its users. The goal is that OdonataCentral will serve as a facilitating mechanism to collect and disseminate the growing body of knowledge on the distributions of North and South American Odonata species.
Visit www.OdonataCentral.org.
View OdonataCentral's 3-d Virtual Image Library.
Visit Entomology at Texas Natural History Collections.
John C. Abbott, Curator of Entomology, 512 232 1896, jcabbott@mail.utexas.edu
