Template:Cite PBDB/doc

This is a template to generate links to the Paleobiology Database. It has been updated to allow linking to different record types, having initially been designed to link only to taxon pages.

N.B.: links created using the original format (two parameters, without a search term defined as parameter 1) will still link to a taxon page.

Usage
The template takes three or four parameters:
 * the search term (if not defined, the template will link to a taxon page)
 * the code number or formation (required, found in the URL depending on which search term is selected - see below)
 * the group formation number (if the formation search term is used)
 * the link text for display by the template

Search term
The following search terms can be used as parameter 1, corresponding to the terms given in the Full Search drop-down menu on the Paleobiology Database website:
 * collection
 * taxon
 * picture
 * reference
 * formation
 * timescale
 * timeinterval

Collection
To link to a collection page, use the following format:

The code number for parameter 2 is found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the name of the collection being linked; if left blank the template will display Collection.

For example:

Taxon
i.e.

The taxon number for parameter 2 can be found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the name of the organism being linked to; if left blank the template will use the page name.

For example:

Picture
To link to a picture page, use the following format:

The code number for parameter 2 is found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the name of the picture being linked to; if left blank the template will display Picture.

For example:

Reference
To link to a reference page, use the following format:

The code number for parameter 2 is found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the title of the reference being linked to; if left blank the template will display Reference.

For example:

Formation
To link to a stratigraphic unit (formation) page, use the following format:

The code number for parameters 2 and 3 are found in the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the name of the formation being linked to; if left blank the template will display Formation.

For example:

Time scale
To link to a time scale page, use the following format:

The code number for parameter 2 is found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the title of the time scale being linked to; if left blank the template will display Time scale.

For example:

Time interval
To link to a time scale page, use the following format:

The code number for parameter 2 is found at the end of the URL; for example:

The link text is usually the title of the time interval being linked to; if left blank the template will display Time interval.

For example: