iNaturalist - Identifying Observations

Caution...

Speciation is extraordinary, one species might have variations, or members within a genus might look similar to one another or another genus/family branch. A specific geographical region may designate subspecies. An untrained eye will often assume all these are basically the same, so why bother taking another photo, when looking closer reveals different species. The similar species tab and auto identifier suggestion list help, though many times may not have enough quality observation neurons in its database, likewise, as the number of observations grow identification expertise will probably follow along. Browse through iNaturalist specialized Projects or run locality/taxonomy searches while keeping in mind seasonality and range. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-of-the-united-states-by-state If there is time available, reading comments, blogs, literature ...can be very enriching.

There are identification keys available on the web that use precise anatomy. Fluent in the language of anatomy http://bugguide.net/node/view/48816, though the exact meaning of acronyms and terms may not be readily available. Just as many disciplines are trying to find and work on the grand unified theory in a particular niche, existing keys may eventually find their way into a virtual reality like way of seeing things to view at all angles that may match a photo observation. A simple example of an Allograpta observation, with identifiable angular views and enough supporting characteristics, makes the key identifier known. We can test a reverse approach for a likely candidate(hypothesis) and if one strong point can dislodge it, then another candidate tested and so down the line until exhaustion and a general level designated. Observations with no organism, only evidence it was present at one time (a hole, crushed vegetation, scent, scat, trail ...) have much value.

Sign up https://bugguide.net/ for expert identifications.

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Arthropods.htm

Examples:
Ants
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5287544
AntWeb
AntWiki
Aphids- Jesse Rorabaugh

http://aphid.aphidnet.org/cauda.php http://aphid.aphidnet.org/index.php
http://www.inaturalist.org/journal/glmory/10242-scale-bars
http://www.inaturalist.org/journal/glmory/9214-aphid-slide-mounting-and-identification
http://www.inaturalist.org/journal/glmory/11320-aphid-identification-ii
https://books.google.com/books?id=UZqkLr9m4GUC&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=Uroleucon+paucosensoriatum&sou
http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/d_APHIDS_T.htm#Tinocallis
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/13044-aphids-of-southern-california
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9678206
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6677395 obs of day
http://aphidtrek.org/

Beetles Order Coleoptera - borisb

Bees and Allied Wasps Superfamily Apoidea - John Ascher

Flies - Even Dankowicz
Fly Guide
Robber Flies - Chris Cohen

General - Cedric Lee

Green blow flies
http://www.blowflies.net/images/Publications/Keys.pdf

Leafhoppers - Kyle Kittelberger
solomon hendrix

Mollusks - Saryu Mae
Susan J. Hewitt

Plant Bugs Family Miridae - WonGun Kim

Psyllids - Chris Mallory
PSYLLIDS

When classification that encompasses all possibilities becomes the roadblock on iNaturalist, for additional bug identification: net, aspirator, long tweezers, ruler, collection containers, microscope, an eye for patterns ... www.bioquip.com http://bugguide.net ideally size(mm), plant, clear detailed photos from major angles as well as a non-zoom of an organism with surroundings, environment scenario, and life stages. Dissection to view internal anatomy may be needed if external features are indistinguishable.
The last resort would be to match its DNA barcode if available, and may not be 100% accurate all the time.
Upgrade: A built-in guard to the lowest level of identification possible just by photos alone, unless a definitive known population exists by itself. Example: would be held at the Genus level until further identification procedures are carried out or an already known permanent species population exists. A list of possible species plus characteristic annotations. If your observation is not found on iNaturalist, [For cases like this it would be best to flag the taxon (in this case the genus) for curation. Click on "Curation" under the graphs on the taxon page and select "Flag for curation."] .
Some observations may look blurry and indistinguishable to a 3rd party identifier. however, to the 1st person that was unable to get a clear photo of a known organism, this becomes a disparity. Ideally, 3rd party generalized identifications should not count to a degree that affects the actual observer that knows the organism's identity. It's like taking a picture your pet cat, and someone downgrades it to Genus Felis. If on the other hand, the observer doesn't know the organism's identity, the 3rd party identification holds full weight(see Identification voting).

Bird sounds:
Learn each distinct bird sound to the point of instant recognition.
Bird ID Skills

Plants: photos of leaf shape from just sprouting to maturity with views of back and front, stem, trunk, flower petals, fruit, full view, different seasons, life found on or eating it. Most plants in the urban Los Angeles basin have all been planted or the offspring of planted.

Organism range may change over time, what was observed years ago - still around, all gone or new species.

Identifications based on observations only are made off of high probability for a particular set of supporting photos and currently known facts about the organism. A few identifications/comments can present a gradual modification, deletion, or reversal over time with new information that may be found or generated. Tracking comment changes or deletions is not currently supported. A change in identification may occur when enough support arrives, which prompts another taxonomic level or tree branch.

Identification voting: If your observation was identified in the past as a certain species, then later on it is discovered to be another species and identified appropriately, however, when the past identifiers are not aware of this change and the resulting identification is held at a general level. 1) contact the past identifiers 2) Community Taxon click on “Reject?” the generalized community id and represent it as the identification you have chosen. In the Observation field, search "possible" for possible id and label accordingly.

Posted on March 31, 2017 01:17 PM by quantron