Determinier

Determinier is a term used primarily in German-language natural history to denote a person who determines, that is, identifies and names specimens of organisms. In herbarium and collection practice, the determinier is the taxonomic expert who assigns a specimen to a species or other taxonomic unit and records the determination on the specimen label or in database records. The role is typically fulfilled by botanists, mycologists, entomologists, or other specialists with extensive knowledge of the relevant group and access to reference works.

The determination process usually involves examining diagnostic morphological features, comparing with descriptions in floras or monographs, and consulting reference collections. In modern work, molecular data may support, confirm, or revise traditional identifications. Determinations can carry different levels of certainty, and notes such as tentative identifications or det. sp. (identified to species) are common when confidence is lower.

On specimen labels and in catalogs, determiners are often credited by name, for example: “Det. A. N. Researcher 2023.” This practice helps document provenance and enables reproducibility in research. The term also appears in field guides and database entries, where the determinier’s expertise underpins the reliability of taxonomic information.

Determinier is closely related to terms for the determination process (Determinierung) and to the broader field of taxonomy. While the concept has parallels in other domains, in scientific and museum contexts it denotes the specialized human role responsible for identifying and naming biological material.