DELTA (taxonomy)

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DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) is a data format used in taxonomy, for recording descriptions of living things. It is designed for computer processing, allowing the generation of identification keys, etc.

It is widely accepted as a standard, one of only a few such standards. Quite a bit of software is available for various tasks, using this format. There is a website on DELTA, linking to many databases in this format. Sometimes databases in DELTA are combined with Lucid ID keys.

It was devised the CSIRO Australian Division of Entomology in 1971 to 2000, with a notable part taken by Dr. Michael J. Dallwitz.