Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)

Managed by the USGS Biological Informatics Program, ITIS is a partnership of federal agencies formed to satisfy their mutual needs for scientifically credible taxonomic information.

The goal for ITIS is to create an easily accessible database with reliable information on species names and their hierarchical classification. The database is reviewed periodically to ensure high quality with valid classifications, revisions, and additions of newly described species. ITIS includes documented taxonomic information of flora and fauna from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. While the primary focus of ITIS has been on native North American species, thousands of non-native species from other continents are also documented in ITIS, and geographic coverage will eventually be worldwide. ITIS is coordinating its efforts with several national and international biodiversity programs.

ITIS constitutes a significant contribution to the scientific infrastructure that is fundamental to the description, conservation, and management of the nation's biodiversity. Use of the ITIS and the taxonomic serial numbers facilitates sharing of biological information among researchers and cooperating agencies by providing a common framework for taxonomic data. Agencies that typically cannot afford to maintain taxonomic data have access to high quality taxonomic information through ITIS. This project allows the coordination of efforts among federal agencies, thereby increasing productivity and saving resources.

For each scientific name, ITIS includes the authority (author and date), taxonomic rank, associated synonyms and vernacular names where available, a unique taxonomic serial number, data source information (publications, experts, etc.) and data quality indicators. Expert reviews and changes to taxonomic information in the database are tracked.

Point of Contact: John Mosesso, Program Development Manager

Go to the ITIS Web site