David has asked me to set up some SPS "tools" and other information for IDing corals. I know that some of the "named" SPS corals have already been started but I have a few ideas I'd like to bounce off of people and see what they think. I'd also like to get your ideas. Here is my starting list:
1) SPS ID database where users submit their corals for ID and we build the database from there (already in the works)
2) "Field" identification vs. "macro" identification (these are my words but I'm sure I can come up with better descriptors, refers to ID by looking at colony vs. ID by examing corallites under magnification)
3) SPS ID resources page where we can have a repository for all online resources and reference books/papers
4) An interactive tutorial thread where people who are interested can go through and ID their corals "step by step" using methods that the "experts" use (it'll take me a bit to get what I need to get this rolling)
I am by no means the "final word" when it comes to IDing so I can use all your help. Please let me know what you think and stay tuned!
Dave
1) SPS ID database where users submit their corals for ID and we build the database from there (already in the works)
2) "Field" identification vs. "macro" identification (these are my words but I'm sure I can come up with better descriptors, refers to ID by looking at colony vs. ID by examing corallites under magnification)
3) SPS ID resources page where we can have a repository for all online resources and reference books/papers
4) An interactive tutorial thread where people who are interested can go through and ID their corals "step by step" using methods that the "experts" use (it'll take me a bit to get what I need to get this rolling)
I am by no means the "final word" when it comes to IDing so I can use all your help. Please let me know what you think and stay tuned!
Dave
