[Coral-List] Global Symbiodinium data goes online with GeoSymbio

[Erik Franklin]

We've created GeoSymbio, a hybrid web application that provides an
online, easy to use and freely accessible interface for users to
discover, explore and utilize global geospatial bioinformatic and
ecoinformatic data on Symbiodinium–host symbioses. The novelty of this
application lies in the combination of a variety of query and
visualization tools, including dynamic searchable maps, data tables
with filter and grouping functions, and interactive charts that
summarize the data. Importantly, this application is hosted remotely
or ‘in the cloud’ using Google Apps, and therefore does not require
any specialty GIS, web programming or data programming expertise from
the user. The current version of the application utilizes Symbiodinium
data based on the ITS2 genetic marker from PCR-based techniques,
including denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, sequencing and
cloning of specimens collected during 1982–2010. All data elements of
the application are also downloadable as spatial files, tables and
nucleic acid sequence files in common formats for desktop analysis.
The application provides a unique tool set to facilitate research on
the basic biology of Symbiodinium and expedite new insights into their
ecology, biogeography and evolution in the face of a changing global
climate.

It is our hope that GeoSymbio stimulates an open-collaborative
environment among Symbiodinium researchers to accelerate the pace of
discovery and innovation, as well as with educators and managers to
promote accessibility of the current state of Symbiodinium knowledge
in the field. We welcome your feedback and participation with
GeoSymbio.

GeoSymbio can be accessed at <https://sites.google.com/site/geosymbio/>

An article describing GeoSymbio is in Molecular Ecology Resources at
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03081.x/abstract>

Aloha,
Erik Franklin, Michael Stat, Xavier Pochon, Hollie Putnam, Ruth Gates

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
University of Hawaii, Manoa