Appropriately addressing dubious or incorrect identifications

1

Hi all!
When mapping one dataset originating from one research report to DwC, I came across on apparently incorrect snake species identification. No image is provided, but species record is well outside its range. I would definitely like to keep this record in the database and mark it as incorrect to make users aware that the records from this report are vey suspicious.
What would you suggest as a most appropriate way to map this record to DwC?

  1. Original identification => VerbatimIdentification
    Person who originally identified the species => IdentifiedBy
    identificationVerificationStatus = incorrect identification
    ScientificName = original identification

  2. Original identification => VerbatimIdentification
    specialist who validated and reidentified the species => IdentifiedBy
    identificationVerificationStatus = verified by specialist
    ScientificName = identification made by specialist to the lowest level taxonomic rank that can be determined. If no image provided based on which reidentification can be made, not sure what to enter here, Serpentes?, Animalia? Unknown?
    It seems that 1. option could be used when there is no evidence for correct identification and 2. could be used when there is some evidence, e.g. image

Thanks!
Luka

2

Hi @lkatusic, I think if you keep the original name in the scientificName field, the records will appear on the species page, on maps, in metrics, in downloads, etc.
If you think that the snake was misidentified and you would rather not have the record associated with the name, it might make sense to change the scientific name for something more high level like Squamata or Animalia.

Note that some users wouldn’t necessarily check the identificationVerificationStatus since it isn’t a field available in the SIMPLE download format. So it is possible that if you keep the original identification in the scientific name filed, some users might not realise that it is an incorrect identification.

I hope it helps!

3

Hi! I agree this suggestion makes the most sense. Thank you!

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