Table 2 Data standard field definitions (part 2): host identification and traits.

Host identification

String

✓

The Linnaean classification of the animal from which the sample was collected, reported at the lowest possible level (ideally, species binomial name: e.g., “Odocoileus virginianus” or “Ixodes scapularis”). As necessary, researchers may also include an additional field indicating when uncertainty exists in the identification of the host organism (see “Adding new fields”). Equivalent to dwc:scientificName.

Organism sex

String

The sex of the individual animal from which the sample was collected. Equivalent to dwc:sex.

Live capture

Boolean

Whether the individual animal from which the sample was collected was alive at the time of capture. Should be TRUE or FALSE; lethal sampling should be recorded as TRUE as this field describes the organism at the time of capture.

Host life stage

String

The life stage of the animal from which the sample was collected (as appropriate for the organism) (e.g., “juvenile”, “adult”). Equivalent to dwc:lifeStage.

Age

Number

The numeric age of the animal from which the sample was collected, at the time of sample collection, if known (e.g., in monitored populations).

Age units

String

The units in which age is measured (usually years). Should always be provided if age is provided.

Mass

Number

The mass of the animal from which the sample was collected, at the time of sample collection.

Mass units

String

The units that mass is recorded in (e.g., “kg”). Should always be provided if mass is provided.

Length

Number

The numeric length of the animal from which the sample was collected, at the time of sample collection.

Length measurement

String

The axis of measurement for the organism being measured (e.g., “snout-vent length”; “wing length”; “primary feather”). Should always be provided if length is provided.

Length units

String

The units that length is recorded in (e.g., “meters”). Should always be provided if length is provided.

Organism quantity

Number

A number or enumeration value for the quantity of organisms. Equivalent to dwc:organismQuantity.

Organism quantity units

String

The units that organism quantity is recorded in (e.g. “individuals”, “kg”). Should always be provided if organism quantity is provided. Equivalent to dwc:organismQuantityType.