Wikipedia:WikiProject Tree of Life/Taxon template

Articles about taxa, such as families, genera, or species, typically contain many of the sections laid out in the order below. For most species, it will not be possible or relevant to fill out every section, but a taxon article on its way to GA usually has sections for "Description", "Taxonomy", "Subdivisions" (e.g. "Species" in the case of genera), "Distribution and habitat", and "Ecology and behavior".

Short description
Add a short description at the top of the page using the short description template, e.g. for Hypericum:

Taxobox
Every article on a currently accepted taxon should include an infobox—specifically, a taxobox—which gives the place of the taxon in a hierarchical classification and some basic taxonomic data. The taxobox can be generated by using the Automatic taxobox system with templates such as Automatic taxobox and Speciesbox. These taxoboxes are intended to facilitate maintaining a consistent hierarchical classification across multiple articles. The older template Taxobox is less commonly used, but may be required for particular cases such as controversial taxonomic placement.

The taxobox template is placed near the top of the page, right under the Short description.

Long lists, for instance under subdivisions or synonyms, should be avoided as per H:IB. If unavoidable, use collapsible list.

Obsolete (no longer accepted) taxa should not have a taxobox, but the text should make clear where they had fit and what the approximate contemporary taxon is or taxa are. If explained adequately on a different page, consider redirecting an obsolete or unaccepted taxa to its contemporary analogue.


 * Common parameters

These are the most common parameters included in taxoboxes:
 * Image:
 * Conservation status:
 * e.g. Narcissus alcaracensis
 * Taxon:
 * Authority:
 * Type:
 * - include the type species ('type') or type genus for infoboxes of taxon rank higher than species, and preferentially use it for the image in the taxobox.
 * Range:
 * e.g. Narcissus papyraceus
 * Synonyms:
 * - include the type species ('type') or type genus for infoboxes of taxon rank higher than species, and preferentially use it for the image in the taxobox.
 * Range:
 * e.g. Narcissus papyraceus
 * Synonyms:
 * e.g. Narcissus papyraceus
 * Synonyms:

Introduction
The introductory paragraphs (also called the "lead") should be a summary of the article. References are not normally included in the lead, since it summarises the rest of the article, which should include references.

The first paragraph, usually the very first sentence, should have the taxon name in bold. If the taxon is a genus or lower rank, such as subgenus or species, the name should be in italics as well as bold. Include common (vernacular) names if they exist for the taxon, some basic morphology, its general taxonomic description ("genus of fungi") and something general about the range and habitat (e.g., rainforest of Brazil, desert of South Africa etc.).

Description
This section includes all the information required to allow identification of a member of this taxon (species/genus/family etc.) Remember to use a paragraph structure, not bullet points or incomplete sentences. This can include both morphological description as well as chemistry and chromosome analysis.

Describe the general aspect and habit of the taxon, such as the size, color, and shape of any key features. Use plain descriptive English where possible, explaining technical terms, especially less common ones. Link technical terms to relevant pages. If the relevant page, e.g. leaf, does not have a description of that feature, consider adding it to that page, and create a redirect. Also check the Glossary and update it where necessary. Another useful linkage is Wiktionary, e.g. leaf. When discussing large groups with varying features (genus and higher), summarize the most interesting and relevant material, but link to other articles for details. The description should focus on the defining characteristics of the taxon that distinguish it from other similar taxa.

Chemistry
Includes chemical analysis such as phytochemistry (plants) or the results of spot tests (lichens), including a description of the observed compounds or pigments. Many chemicals with known functions or uses may be more appropriately discussed under sections such as "Uses" or "Ecology".

Taxonomy
Taxonomy (systematics) deals with the causes and consequences of variation of an entity (taxon). It integrates the gathering of evidence, its processing, the production of phylogenetic relationships and the resulting classification of the entity and its relationships, reflecting the totality of similarities and differences, including the evolutionary processes and pathways which produced divergence and diversity. It is frequently combined with discussions on the evolution of the taxon in botanical articles. The evolutionary history of the taxon is its phylogeny, the process by which its present-day characteristics evolved over time.

Topics to include in this section would usually include taxonomic history, modern taxonomic classification, the characteristics that define the taxon, its phylogeny, the taxonomic subdivision of the taxon where applicable and the etymological derivation of the taxon's nomenclature.

Discovery and naming

 * Authority

An account of the original description of the taxon, authority, including by whom, when, and how the taxon was discovered or first circumscribed, any background if known and including the original authority as a reference. Mention the defining characteristics and the type specimen if known, e.g. type species or type genus. For instance, for Liliaceae the type genus is Lilium. Keep in mind the rules for authority, as laid out in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), ICZN, and --expand--.

Secondary sources: The original description does not constitute a reliable source on its own. Check out the relevant WikiProject for lists of reliable secondary taxonomic references, such as the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families or the World Register of Marine Species. Sometimes the most authoritative reference will be in proposals or considerations published in a journal like Taxon or the deliberations of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) committees, also published there.

Author format: Use  or   around the author's name or abbreviation to create small font. For plants, use the abbreviations listed at List of botanists by author abbreviation or International Plant Names Index (IPNI). When possible, link the name to the author's Wikipedia article the first time the author is mentioned. While year of publishing is included next to the author for animals, it is excluded from the author citation in plants and fungi.

Historical treatment
A description of subsequent handling of the taxonomic entity up to modern times. This is the history of the circumscription of the taxon and its relationship to other taxa at the same and higher ranks. Discuss the major synonyms, and any disputes about classification (e.g. Hippeastrum nomenclature debate). Mention whether conserved (nom. cons.), rejected (nom. rej.) or illegitimate (nom. illeg.) names exist in relation to the taxon. The use of tables over text alone is recommended if comparing different historical classifications (see, for example Evolution of placement of Liliaceae in different taxonomic schemes).

Modern classification
Modern taxonomy is based on phylogenetic analyses and to present such work, if available, is essential. Mention whether there are still doubts about monophyly and the most closely related sister group. An account of the current relationships of the taxon is best illustrated with a cladogram. Include an account of what evidence (e.g. morphology, embryology, chromosomes, karyology, cytogenetics, biogeography, ecology, palynology, phytochemistry, proteins and nucleic acid segments) was used in constructing the phylogeny, and the processes involved.

Evolution
Describe how the evolutionary processes, history, and biogeography have contributed to the diversity, and discuss speciation where appropriate.

Subdivision
Where applicable, provide a description of the structure of the subdivision of the taxon. For an article on a family, a subdivision section might be list the subfamilies or genera in that family. An article on a genus typically lists all the known species in that genus. Consider structuring the list according to taxonomic subdivisions instead of purely alphabetically, such as by tribe, subgenus, or section.

Etymology
Explain the meaning of the taxon name and common names, if known. Useful tools include:
 * List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
 * List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
 * List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
 * List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
 * List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names

Distribution and habitat
This section should describe where the taxon is, or was, found naturally, or has invaded. Talk about geographic location, elevation range, climatic range, soil types it is found in, plants associated with it (associates, vegetation type), its centre of diversity, and ecosystems. Note that the biogeography may demonstrate a phylogenetic association, in which different subtaxa have adapted to different regions.

Example: Distribution: Narcissus occurs primarily in Southwestern Europe and the Mediterranean region, with a centre of diversity in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). A few species extend the range into southern France and Italy, and even the Balkans (N. poeticus, N. serotinus, N. tazetta) and the Eastern Mediterranean (N. serotinus). "Habitat: Their native habitats are very varied, with different elevations, bioclimatic areas and substrates, being found predominantly in open spaces ranging from low marshes to rocky hillsides and montane pastures, and including grassland, scrub, woods, river banks and rocky crevices...The Pseudonarcissus group in their natural habitat prefer humid situations such as stream margins, springs, wet pastures, clearings of forests or shrublands with humid soils, and moist hillsides...subgenus Hermione has a lowland distribution, but subgenus Narcissus section Apodanthi is montane and restricted to Morocco, Spain and Portugal."

Ecology and behavior
This is all about the taxon's biological processes and interaction with its environment. Non-animal organisms will often lack "behavior" per se and the section may be limited instead to ecology, with other biological processes categorized slightly differently. Some of these subsections will be top-level sections when more important for that organism. Habitat is sometimes better placed under Ecology rather than Distribution.

Common subsections include:

Life cycle, Reproduction, or Breeding
For plants, this information is often included under the physical description section. Plant example:"Narcissus are long-lived perennial geophytes with winter-growing and summer-dormant bulbs that are mainly synanthous (leaves and flowers appearing at the same time). While most species flower in late winter to spring, five species are autumn flowering and by contrast are hysteranthous (leaves appear after flowering)."

Animal example:"American crows are socially monogamous cooperative breeding birds. Mated pairs form large families of up to 15 individuals from several breeding seasons that remain together for many years. Offspring from a previous nesting season will usually remain with the family to assist in rearing new nestlings."

Diet
Organisms it feeds upon and feeding behavior.

Predators, parasites, and pathogens
Organisms that eat it, parasitize it, or cause diseases and other injury.

Communication or Social behavior
Ways the organism communicates or behaves with other individuals of the same type or with other organisms, such as breeding calls, pheromones, or other volatile compounds.

Conservation
If there are conservation concerns regarding the species or some of its members, discuss them. Is the taxon, or any parts of it, extinct, endangered, threatened, or vulnerable? If so, are there any protection schemes? The taxobox is one place to summarise conservation information. A useful tool is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Uses
What is the organism used for? Examples of use include:


 * Medicinal, e.g. Vinca
 * Cultivation, e.g. Pelargonium
 * Food, e.g. chicken
 * Fiber, e.g. Apocynum cannabinum
 * Pet, e.g. budgerigar
 * Timber, e.g. spruce
 * Recreational, e.g. Psilocybe
 * Research and technology, e.g. Nephila

If a use is particularly important or the organism has only one major use, list it separately with an appropriate header.

Culture
Does the organism have a specific cultural relevance, for example as a metaphor or a motif? Is it an integral part of some aspect of culture?

Avoid trivia as per WP:"In popular culture" content.

Taxonbar
Taxonbar is a template which was created to add more capability for linking to external identifiers of biological and taxonomic databases. All information displayed in the taxonbar is retrieved from corresponding Wikidata entries.

The taxonbar should always be added to the bottom of a page, below external links and other navboxes. Categories and stub templates should be the only things lower on the page. Adding the following code to the bottom of Narcissus would generate the bar below it:



For more information about taxonomy and organisms on Wikidata, see Wikidata:WikiProject Taxonomy

Categories
For plants, see WikiProject Plants/Categorization.

Stub template
For very short articles, or those otherwise lacking sufficient information to be classified as a "Start" or above, following the WikiProject Tree of Life or affiliated WikiProject article assessment guidelines, add a stub template.

A list of relevant stub templates can be found at WikiProject Stub sorting/Stub types.

The stub template is placed at the very end of the page with two blank lines immediately preceding it.

Talk page
Add the appropriate WikiProject banner template, such as WikiProject Amphibians and Reptiles or WikiProject Plants, to the article's talk page to include the article in the Projects' assessment scheme.

Add banner templates for other projects to the article's talk page as appropriate.

Model articles
Some examples of model articles for different taxonomic ranks are provided here for guidance:

Affiliated WikiProject recommendations
The links below can be referenced for taxon-specific recommendations (though note that many of these were last edited many moons ago).


 * WikiProject Plants/Template
 * WikiProject_Arthropods
 * WikiProject Insects
 * WikiProject Lepidoptera/Article formats
 * WikiProject Phasmatodea
 * WikiProject_Gastropods/Article contents
 * WikiProject_Cephalopods
 * WikiProject_Bivalves
 * WikiProject_Fishes
 * WikiProject Sharks/Template shark article
 * WikiProject_Dinosaurs
 * WikiProject_Birds
 * WikiProject_Amphibians_and_Reptiles
 * WikiProject Turtles
 * WikiProject_Primates/Article_format