SCSU Hilton C. Buley Library: *Biology: Zoology

Finding Species Names and Classification

Knowing the Latin name for any animal you are researching will make finding scholarly information much easier. Common names may describe several species (and there may be several common names for a given species.) Once you have the Latin name, use the full name (Genus species) to find information on that one animal. Use just the Genus name to find information on related animals.

Wikipedia
The Wikipedia page for each species will give the species Latin name (Genus species) in a box on the right hand side of the page. Links to related species are often available. Check the References for useful scholarly material. Generally, you will not cite Wikipedia, but use it to begin your research.
Encyclopedia of Life
more... less...

Not yet complete, the EOL aims to create a page for every species on earth, with descriptions, life history, genetic data, literature references, researchers and projects.

Basic Information

Research in Books and Articles

SouthernSearch Library Catalog

Biological Science Collection
The collection contains biological science related full-text articles, granular access to figures and tables within articles, and the entire range of bibliographic records from Biological Sciences database. Supporting over two dozen areas of expertise, Biological Sciences provides access to literature from serials, as well as conference proceedings, technical reports, monographs and selected books and patents.
BioOne
BioOne provides a unique aggregation of high-impact bioscience research journals, featuring timely content on a wide-array of today۪s most pressing topics, including global warming, stem cell research, ecological and biodiversity conservation.
ScienceDirect
Search interface for journals and books from Elsevier, one of the world's premier publishers in science, technology, and medicine. We have a limited number of current journals in ScienceDirect (back to 1995), a few back files (up to 1995), and no books. Document Delivery may be available, contact the Reference Desk.

Example: Black Rhinoceros

"Black rhinoceros" in Wikipedia
Wikipedia tells us that there are several subspecies, gives us the Latin names for the subspecies and for related species in the Family Rhinocerotidae. Several article sections include information on evolution, range, diet. Check the References for the sources of this information.
Diceros bicornis (Wikipedia)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
Species: D. bicornis
Diceros bicornis (Encyclopedia of Life)
EoL includes basic information, images, maps, names, and references. As this species is endangered, EoL also links to the IUCN Red List page for the black rhinoceros.
Article on Rhinoceroses from Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia
General information on rhinoceroses and related animals in the Family Rhinocerotidae
"Rhinoceroses" as a Subject in SouthernSearch Library Catalog
This will include general books and articles on rhinoceroses, including children's and teaching books, plus books specifically on topics like conservation
BioOne search for Diceros bicornis (in Abstract)
Research articles on the black rhinoceros, which will include all the subspecies. This search was done using the Advanced Search.