Database of National Species List of Korea: the taxonomical systematics platform for managing scientific names of Korean native species

A scientific name is one of changeable terms in biology whenever additional research results of specific taxa is accumulated. The Database of the National Species List of Korea (DBNKo) was developed to manage taxonomic information of Korean species, designed to describe the changeable and complex taxonomical structure and information. A Korean Taxonomical Serial Number (KTSN) was assigned to each taxon, different from the normally used systems that the scientific name was considered as primary key to manage higher rank of taxa systematically. Common names were also treated with the KTSN, reflecting that common name is considered as one type of taxon. Additional taxonomic information (e.g., synonyms, original names, and references) was also added to the database. A web interface with an intuitive dashboard presenting taxonomic hierarchical structure is provided to experts and/or managers of the DBNKo. Currently, several biological databases are available in the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) such as a specimen database, a digital library, a genetic information system, and the shared species data based on the DBNKo. The DBNKo started sharing species information with other institutions such as the Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources. It is an ideal centralized species database to manage standardized information of Korean species.