Catalogue of Life

Check which release you are using before recording a species name. The site explains that its base and extended releases include different gradients of data quality. That distinction matters when you compare names across references or reproduce a lookup later. Preserve the release identifier with your research notes rather than citing only the homepage.

Use the DOI for the release you consulted, and preserve a name identifier when recording an individual result. The catalogue warns that it remains incomplete and can contain errors; an extended-release match needs its source context.