Documentation for the automated taxobox system

Taxonomy templates

Taxobox templates

When should I use Template:Automatic Taxobox? ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಿ

Do NOT use the automatic taxobox if you are creating a taxobox for:

  • An ichnotaxon (use {{Ichnobox}})
  • An ootaxon (use {{Oobox}})
  • Any species-level taxon not from the aforementioned groups (use {{Speciesbox}}, provided that no rank is to be displayed between species and genus)
  • Any taxon below the species level not from the aforementioned groups (use {{Subspeciesbox}} for animals, {{Infraspeciesbox}} for plants, again provided that no rank is to be displayed between species and genus)

These templates use the same software as Template:Automatic taxobox, but are simplified to be easier to use and maintain.

  • For all other taxa, it is always possible to create an automatic taxobox. But in complicated cases, it might be easier to use a manual taxobox rather than asking for help automating it.

Please remember: There's not yet consensus to convert all taxoboxes to automatic taxoboxes. Please use your discretion when converting: and always preview your edit before saving.

Advantages of this template over manual taxoboxes ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಿ

This template was mainly developed in order to help Wikipedia's taxonomy be consistent, and to make it possible to browse down as well as up a taxonomic hierarchy.

It has additional benefits:

  • Easier to create articles: don't have to copy and modify lengthy taxoboxes
  • Easier to maintain articles: when a taxonomic classification is changed, only one page needs modifying
  • Ensures consistency between articles: since all taxoboxes refer to the same central taxonomy listings
  • Centralizes discussion on taxonomy: discussions don't have to be repeated on every taxon's page
  • Keeping articles up to date is easier: one edit, and all affected articles are updated immediately
  • Easier to handle unranked clades and polyphyletic groups: any number of unranked groups can be included
  • Accountability: each taxonomic relationship can be supported by a reference
  • Lists of child taxa can be kept up to date, automatically.