New world catalogue
You're referring to the New World Catalogue!
The New World Catalogue is a comprehensive catalogue of all known species of plants and animals on Earth, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew Gardens) and the Natural History Museum, London (NHM). It's an online database that provides information on the taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status of species.
Here are some key features of the New World Catalogue:
- Species coverage: The catalogue currently contains information on over 1.8 million species, including:
- Plants: 1.4 million species (including fungi, algae, and lichens)
- Animals: 400,000 species (including insects, vertebrates, and invertebrates)
- Taxonomic hierarchy: The catalogue uses a hierarchical system to organize species into:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
- Distribution and conservation status: The catalogue provides information on the geographic distribution of each species, as well as its conservation status, using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories.
- Synonyms and references: The catalogue includes information on synonyms (alternative names) for each species, as well as references to original descriptions, taxonomic revisions, and other relevant publications.
- Search and filtering: Users can search the catalogue using various criteria, such as species name, taxonomic group, geographic region, and conservation status. Filtering options are also available to refine search results.
The New World Catalogue is an essential resource for scientists, researchers, conservationists, and anyone interested in understanding the diversity of life on Earth.