Species search results

What a species result row shows, how to tell similar names apart, and the limits of the species search.

This page explains the result list of the species search. How to find the field and start a search: Search.

What a result row shows #

  • The scientific name in italics, then the common name in grey, then the rank on the right (Species, Genus, Family, Subspecies and so on), then a small tag: CoL (found in Catalogue of Life) or Saved (already in BreedMap or on this device).
  • At most 8 rows are shown. There is no classification path in the row; the species card shows it after you pick a row.
  • The common name shown is the one you typed when the species has it (type "sammakko" and the row shows "sammakko"); otherwise the English common name, or none.
  • Names found only under an old or alternative name are shown under the current accepted name, and the note says which name matched.

Order of results #

  1. Names already saved in BreedMap or on the device.
  2. Exact name matches before partial ones.
  3. Matches through an old or alternative name after the direct ones.
  4. Species and lower levels before genus, family and higher groups.
  5. Then alphabetical by common name (or scientific name when there is none).

When the other-languages lookup ran, its results are listed first and the note under the field says "Showing matches for …".

Telling similar names apart #

  • Check the scientific name first: it is the unique one. Common names are shared by many species (for example "wolf" also finds wolf spiders).
  • Check the rank: a Genus row is a whole group, a Species row is one species. Subspecies and varieties come as their own rows.
  • Not there? Type more of the scientific name (genus and species) and press Enter.
  • Picked wrong? Press Change and search again.

Limits #

  • The other-languages lookup is limited to 60 different search texts per person a day, the same on Free and paid plans. The same text again is instant. After the limit, normal search still works without the other-names lookup.
  • Up to 30 searches a minute per person; above that the answer is to wait a minute.
  • Breed names and very general words may find little. Use the scientific name or Not found? Use my own name … (unverified).

Slow or busy #

  • Catalogue of Life is sometimes slow: a first search for a text can take up to about 25 seconds; the same text again is instant, because answers are saved.
  • If Catalogue of Life does not answer, the screen says "Catalogue of Life is busy right now; showing Breedmap results only." (or "not reachable right now"). An older saved answer for the same text is shown when there is one. Trying again a little later usually works.
  • A search that takes too long is stopped and the screen asks you to try again.

Updated