<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The Cestode Life Cycle Database (CLCdb) project was initiated in 2005 with the objective to develop a comprehensive and centralised resource to store, retrieve and analyse key information concerning tapeworm life cycles; e.g. morphogenesis, intermediate host identities, transmission patterns, etc. It constitutes the first electronic database to deal with complex life cycle information for any helminth taxon. Here we critically evaluate our experience after exhaustively entering data for our model group, the cyclophyllidean family Hymenolepididae. After providing basic statistics (530 consulted references; ∼ 230 ‘known’ life cycle), we identify future needs in turning the CLCdb into an open access monograph covering all cestode groups. We review the added benefits and potential utilities of the database for cestodologists and other users, including ecologists and veterinarians, and we call for specialist contributions. Since late 2007, a short version of the CLCdb has been available online, with basic functionalities and tools (www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/projects/cestode-life-cycle/index.html).</p></abstract>

The Cestode Life Cycle Database (CLCdb) project was initiated in 2005 with the objective to develop a comprehensive and centralised resource to store, retrieve and analyse key information concerning tapeworm life cycles; e.g. morphogenesis, intermediate host identities, transmission patterns, etc. It constitutes the first electronic database to deal with complex life cycle information for any helminth taxon. Here we critically evaluate our experience after exhaustively entering data for our model group, the cyclophyllidean family Hymenolepididae. After providing basic statistics (530 consulted references; ∼ 230 ‘known’ life cycle), we identify future needs in turning the CLCdb into an open access monograph covering all cestode groups. We review the added benefits and potential utilities of the database for cestodologists and other users, including ecologists and veterinarians, and we call for specialist contributions. Since late 2007, a short version of the CLCdb has been available online, with basic functionalities and tools (www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/projects/cestode-life-cycle/index.html).

Developing a dedicated cestode life cycle database: lessons from the hymenolepidids

Central Laboratory of General Ecology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Cestode Life Cycle Database (CLCdb) project was initiated in 2005 with the objective to develop a comprehensive and centralised resource to store, retrieve...

Developing a dedicated cestode life cycle database: lessons from the hymenolepidids

Published Online: Apr 25, 2009

Page range: 21 - 27

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-009-0004-0

Keywords
tapeworms, monograph, e-resource, larval biology, biodiversity

© 2009 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Developing a dedicated cestode life cycle database: lessons from the hymenolepidids

Published Online: Apr 25, 2009

Page range: 21 - 27

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-009-0004-0

Keywordstapeworms, monograph, e-resource, larval biology, biodiversity

© 2009 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
tapeworms, monograph, e-resource, larval biology, biodiversity