Abstract:
Biota helps you manage specimen-based biodiversity and collections data by
providing an easy-to-use graphical interface to a fully relational database
structure.
With a comprehensive, profusely illustrated Manual (plus a Supplement for
Version 1.2) to back up intuitive menus and screens, Biota offers a rich array
of user-tested tools for rapid data input, update, maintenance, analysis, and
... reporting. Biota's capable Import Editor helps you convert your existing data
sets to Biota's relational structure, and a wide array of text and image file
export tools provides easy access to your data for analysis and publication
using other applications.
For ecologists, conservation biologists, reserve managers, and biogeographers,
Biota offers efficient and flexible tools for recording and analyzing
locality- or sample-based survey data, including full geographic and taxonomic
information and images. Export options include species-by-collection abundance
or incidence matrices based on any selection of records, ready for statistical
analysis; hierarchical taxonomic files in HTML, ready to post on a Web server;
and many options for text files.
For taxonomists, systematists, and collections managers, Biota offers rigorous
tools for recording data and images for specimen determinations as well as for
revisions and evolutionary studies. You can export species-by-character
matrices in NEXUS format and virtually journal-ready Specimens Examined lists,
from any selection of records. Managers of institutional or personal
collections and data managers for biodiversity surveys will welcome Biota's
straightforward specimen loan management system, label-printing and label text
export facilities (for pinned, fluid-preserved, slide-mounted, or herbarium
specimens), and Biota's client-server readiness (TCP/IP based).
Biota's features include unlimited user-definable fields; recursive specimen
relations (e.g., herbivore-plant, parasite-host, DNA-specimen); automatic
maintenance of a specimen determination "audit-trail"; flexible barcode/manual
input for record entry, record retrieval, and loan management; and a password
security system with multiple privilege levels.
Formats and Platforms. Biota is available in two formats. BiotaApp is a
stand-alone, single-user application with an integrated database engine (4D
Engine). You need no additional software to run BiotaApp.
The alternative format, Biota4D, intended for multiuser, networked
environments, runs in true client/server mode under 4D ServerTM (ACI, Inc.).
Biota4D also runs under 4th DimensionTM in single-user mode. You must purchase
4D ServerTM or 4th DimensionTM separately from a commercial vendor to run
Biota4D. Other than client/server readiness, Biota4D is functionally identical
with BiotaApp.
Biota data files can be used interchangeably with either BiotaApp or Biota4D,
and are fully transportable between Macintosh and Windows operating systems. 
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