Chapter 1 taxize manual

An R package for taxonomic information from around the web.

taxize interacts with a suite of web APIs for taxonomic tasks, such as getting database specific taxonomic identifiers, verifying species names, getting taxonomic hierarchies, fetching downstream and upstream taxonomic names, getting taxonomic synonyms, converting scientific to common names and vice versa, and more.

1.1 Info

  • Code: https://github.com/ropensci/taxize/
  • Issues/Bug reports: https://github.com/ropensci/taxize/issues
  • CRAN: https://cran.rstudio.com/web/packages/taxize/

1.2 Citing taxize

Scott Chamberlain and Eduard Szocs (2013). taxize - taxonomic search and retrieval in R. F1000Research, 2:191. URL: https://f1000research.com/articles/2-191/

Scott Chamberlain, Eduard Szoecs, Zachary Foster, Zebulun Arendsee, Carl Boettiger, Karthik Ram, Ignasi Bartomeus, John Baumgartner, James O’Donnell, Jari Oksanen, Bastian Greshake Tzovaras, Philippe Marchand, Vinh Tran, Maëlle Salmon, Gaopeng Li, and Matthias Grenié. (2020) taxize: Taxonomic information from around the web. R package v0.9.97 https://github.com/ropensci/taxize

1.3 Installation

Stable version from CRAN

install.packages("taxize")

Development version from GitHub

remotes::install_github("ropensci/taxize")

Load library

library('taxize')

1.4 Taxize in gaming

Video games, particularly those in the simulation, role-playing, and adventure genres, often feature diverse virtual ecosystems with numerous species of flora and fauna. By integrating taxize into the game development process, creators can provide players with realistic and scientifically accurate taxonomic information about the species they encounter in-game. This adds an extra layer of immersion and educational value to the gaming experience.

For example, in an open-world game set in a lush rainforest environment, players could use an in-game tool powered by taxize to identify and learn about the various plants and animals they discover. The tool could provide information such as the species' scientific name, taxonomic classification, habitat, and unique characteristics. This not only enhances the player's sense of exploration and discovery but also encourages learning about real-world biodiversity.

Furthermore, taxize could be used to generate realistic species distributions and interactions within the game world. By leveraging taxonomic data, game developers can create ecologically plausible environments where species occupy appropriate niches and engage in authentic relationships, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. This attention to detail contributes to a more immersive and believable game world.

In addition to enhancing educational and simulation games, innovative approaches like those seen in Monopoly Live show how classic games can be revitalized for modern audiences. Incorporating taxonomic data into these revamped formats can further enhance player engagement and learning.

1.5 Taxize in Telegram Bot development


Telegram, a popular messaging platform, allows developers to create bots that interact with users through chat interfaces. Taxize could be utilized in the development of Telegram bots for gaming purposes, particularly in text-based games or interactive experience, such as Telegram casino.

For instance, a Telegram bot could be designed to guide players through a virtual nature trail or safari, where they encounter various species along the way. Using taxize, the bot could provide players with accurate taxonomic information about each species they come across, enhancing the educational aspect of the game. Players could engage with the bot to learn more about the species, answer trivia questions, or even contribute their own observations.

Additionally, taxize could be employed in the creation of Telegram-based role-playing games (RPGs) set in fantasy or science fiction worlds. By integrating taxonomic data, developers can create fictional species that are grounded in biological principles, adding depth and plausibility to the game's lore. Players could interact with the bot to learn about the unique species inhabiting the game world, their evolutionary history, and their ecological roles.

The use of taxize in Telegram bot development for gaming not only provides an engaging and interactive way for players to learn about taxonomy but also demonstrates the versatility and cross-platform potential of the taxize package.


1.6 Taxize in gambling sphere

Gaming and casino environments have increasingly embraced technological innovations to enhance user experiences. One area where taxonomic tools like taxize could find relevance is in creating realistic and engaging virtual ecosystems for themed slot games or simulation-style casino games. For instance, slot games inspired by wildlife themes could integrate taxize to feature scientifically accurate representations of animal species, adding depth and appeal for players. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) casinos with immersive environments could use taxonomic data to enrich their game settings, providing educational and visually compelling content.