Inland Fishes of California” book–but to a Wikipedia open source format.

Description

write a species description similar to what might appear in the “Inland Fishes of California” book–but tailored to a Wikipedia open source format.  The fish species is Cetoscarus bicolor. You are expected to draw from primary (i.e., peer-reviewed) literature in scientific journals and cover identification, taxonomy, distribution, life-history, and conservation status for the species. The final Wikis will be graded on content, clarity, style, and citation.

This is a multi-step assignment.

1. You’ll need to “register” your fish using the protocol outlined in Choose Your WikiFish by Oct 4. did that the fish is cetoscarus bicolor.

Wiki submission requirements:

1) Content. Each Wiki should include the following information at a minimum, patterned after the accounts in “Inland Fishes”.

i) Species Description: What does the species look like, typical size, key anatomical features, coloration, any key differences between juveniles and adults? Include similar species it might be confused with. Copy, paste and cite a picture (or multiple) of the species and its key features. You can cite the url for the picture or citation from a paper in the figure legend.

  ii) Distribution: What is the geographic range of the species? What types of ecosystems or habitats is it found in? Is it abundant (any abundance or relative abundance data that you could report?)

iii) Biology: Add information on reproduction, age, and growth (including the structures used to estimate age and growth), food and feeding habits, other interesting aspects of the biology?

iv) Conservation Status: List and discuss the conservation status of populations of the species. Is the species stable, declining, or even extinct? What are the threats if any to these species? For example, is the species vulnerable to climate change? Dams? Pollution? Invasive species? Is there a fishery for the species? How do humans utilize the species? Is the species of cultural significance to humans?

  v) Graphics. Pictures and figures showing data are required. The Wiki should include a geographic range map (cite your source). Other figures should include an illustration or photo of the fish. Data are encouraged: population trends, physiological features, the results of a scientific study, etc. 

2) Length: 3-5 single-spaced standard-formatted pages, not including figures. 

3) Add “line numbers” to your document. In MS Word go to “Layout-> Page Setup-> Line Numbers-> Continuous”.  Line numbers help the reviewers to reference the changes they are suggesting.

4) Publication style. Use the Wikipedia Style Manual Links to an external site.to ensure your formatting is consistent with publication standards.

5) Sources. Include and cite a minimum of 15 peer-reviewed sources from scientific literature. Ruth Gustafson from the UCD library will provide an in-class tutorial on scientific literature search engines (Google Scholar is the most accessible). The use some books and technical reports is acceptable, but the majority of your references should be from peer-reviewed journal articles. Avoid websites, except for photos and range maps, and these do not count towards the 15 total.

To make an appointment with our dedicated librarian, Ruth Gustafson use this linkLinks to an external site.. 

6) Citation style. You will use two different formats.