Interactive key for identification of species ofTabebuia Alliance (Bignoniaceae) in the state of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

An interactive key to identify the 26 species of the TabebuiaAlliance (Bignoniaceae) from the state of Bahia, Brazil, was developed. From a web page containing check boxes with botanical characters, with free and not sequential marking, species which not match to the criteria are eliminated until the complete identification of the material. The key is hosted in a website, that also provides general information about the Bignoniaceae, theTabebuia Alliance and the state of Bahia, as well as a glossary of the botanical terminology employed in the key and a bank of images. The system was created using HTML and Javascript languages. It runs from a CD-ROM and is available for download at: http://www.mendeley.com/profiles/alessandro-rapini/publications/ComputerProgram/. The use of interactive keys facilitates and streamlines the process of taxa identification, contributing to the dissemination of biological knowledge and preparation of programs to the recognition and conservation of biota.