animalsmost

Animalsmost is a hypothetical global online repository and research framework intended to aggregate, standardize, and disseminate data on animal diversity. Conceived as an open-access platform, it aims to support researchers, educators, conservationists, and policymakers by providing a centralized source for species information, distributions, ecology, and conservation status.

Core data include taxonomy (accepted names and synonyms), morphology, behavior, habitat, life history, distribution records, and IUCN Red List statuses. The platform integrates museum collections, field observations, peer-reviewed literature, and citizen science contributions, using standardized metadata grounded in Darwin Core and related biodiversity informatics standards. Data quality is ensured through curator reviews and community validation workflows.

Governance is described as a multi-stakeholder consortium including universities, natural-history museums, and NGOs. Access is open, with a permissive license for non-commercial use; data licensing and attribution are emphasized. User-contributed records undergo verification, with transparent provenance and edit histories. Privacy and ethical considerations address sensitive species and indigenous data.

Notable features include an API, integration with GBIF and IUCN resources, geographic visualization, and tools for conservation prioritization. The platform supports education and outreach, enabling comparative studies, biodiversity monitoring, and rapid assessment in response to environmental change.

See also: Encyclopedia of Life, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, IUCN Red List.