ITIS: What you need to know about the Integrated Taxonomic Information System

What is ITIS?

ITIS stands for the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. It is a computerized database that provides authoritative information on the scientific names and classification of all known species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. ITIS is maintained and operated by a partnership of US federal agencies, including the United States Geological Survey, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institution. The database includes information on the nomenclature, taxonomy, and distribution of species, as well as their synonyms and common names. ITIS is a valuable resource for scientists, conservationists, educators, and the public to study and understand the diversity of life on Earth.

How to cite ITIS?

If you are citing ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) in a research paper or other publication, the following format is commonly used:

Author(s) (Year). Title. Integrated Taxonomic Information System [Online Database]. Available at http://www.itis.gov. Accessed on [date of access].

For example:

Smith, J. and Brown, T. (2022). Canis lupus. Integrated Taxonomic Information System [Online Database]. Available at http://www.itis.gov. Accessed on March 17, 2023.

In the example above, “Canis lupus” is the scientific name of the species being cited, and “Smith, J. and Brown, T.” are the authors of the ITIS database entry. The date of access should be the date that you accessed the database to retrieve the information.

8 Things you didn’t know about ITIS

1. ITIS is the most comprehensive database of its kind, with information on over 1.8 million species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes.
2. ITIS is managed by a partnership of US federal agencies, including the United States Geological Survey, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institution.
3. The ITIS database is freely available online and is used by scientists, conservationists, educators, and the public to research and learn about the diversity of life on Earth.
4. ITIS uses a standardized taxonomic classification system to ensure consistency and accuracy in the naming and classification of species.
5. The database includes information on the nomenclature, taxonomy, and distribution of species, as well as their synonyms and common names.
6. ITIS is constantly updated by a team of taxonomic experts from around the world, ensuring that the information is accurate and up-to-date.
7. ITIS plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity, as it provides an important tool for identifying and cataloging species and monitoring their populations over time.
8. ITIS is also used in a wide range of applications, including in the management of invasive species, the development of new medicines, and the study of ecosystem dynamics.