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Node
Collapsible group
Search match
Synonym match
This visualization has two layers: Major Groups shows the broad taxonomic hierarchy down to Class level,
while selecting a Taxon Group from the dropdown drills into finer detail down to species.

Hierarchical Taxonomy Viewer

See the structure behind the names.

The Neotoma Hierarchical Taxonomy Viewer is a companion tool for exploring the taxonomic vocabulary that connects Neotoma's paleoecological records. It turns taxon paths into an interactive tree so researchers and data stewards can see relationships, navigate from broad groups to specific taxa, and spot where a name sits in the hierarchy.

If you use this software, please provide the following citation:
Chen, Y., Nelson, J. K., J., Goring, S., Zhang, Q., Blois, S. J., & Williams, J. W. (2026). Interactive Hierarchical Visualization for Exploring the Neotoma Paleoecological Taxonomy. https://open.neotomadb.org/Taxonomy-Visualizer/

Visit Neotoma Paleoecology Database Homepage

The data foundation

What is Neotoma?

Neotoma is an open, community-curated database and service ecosystem for paleoecological and paleoenvironmental data. It supports global-change research and education by making data, tools, and stewardship resources available to the community.

This viewer focuses on one shared layer: the taxonomy used to organize data. Use it to understand a group, trace a scientific name through its taxonomic hierarchy, compare taxa, and move to the relevant Neotoma resource with clearer context.

Quick start

Hierarchical Taxonomy Viewer User Manual

  1. 1
    Choose a taxon type and group.

    Start with Biological or Non-biological Taxon, then select the group you want to explore.

  2. 2
    Search for a name.

    Enter a taxon name to focus its path. Use a comma to compare two taxa in the same view.

  3. 3
    Explore the hierarchy.

    Select a node to inspect it, or expand a collapsible group to reveal more of the taxonomy.

  4. 4
    Recognize synonyms.

    Search results that come from a Neotoma synonym record are highlighted in orange and point back to the accepted taxon.

  5. 5
    Read taxon metadata.

    Select a node to open Search Results with its path, metadata, synonyms, and available external links.

  6. 6
    Compare two taxa.

    Enter two exact taxon names separated by a comma, such as cf. Bison latifrons, cf. Bison alaskensis.

  7. 8
    Review the Data.

    Open Data Steward View to track recent changes, synonym relationship, and potential taxonomic issues together in one place.

Illustration showing selection, search, and taxonomy-tree exploration in three steps
Choose, search, then explore.

Help us improve the viewer.

If something on the website does not display or work as expected, an interaction is confusing or difficult to use, or you have an idea for a new feature, please share your feedback with the development team.

Join Neotoma!

Connect, contribute, and stay involved.

Become a Member

Play a role in database governance. Vote on initiatives and leadership, or serve on subcommittees in topics of interest to you.

 Become a Data Steward

Data Stewards are analogous to editors of peer-reviewed journals and can upload and correct data in Neotoma.

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Funded by

National Science Foundation, Directorate for Geosciences, Division of Earth Sciences, EAR-1948229, 1948926, 2410961