IchnoDB: structure and importance of an ichnology database

The design of a relational database for ichnological data is presented to illustrate and address deficiencies in present-day palaeontological databases. Currently, palaeontology databases apply concepts and terminology derived from the study of body fossils to trace fossil records. We suggest that fundamental differences between body and trace fossils make this practice inappropriate. These differences stem from the fact that trace fossils represent the behaviour of the tracemaker, and not the phylogenetic affinities of an organism. This database, referred to as IchnoDB, has been tested by the authors throughout the design process to ensure that recommended alterations to current palaeontology databases made herein are functional. In describing the design and logic that underpins an ichnology database, it is our desire to see established palaeontological databases incorporate ichnology specific fields into their structure. This would support and encourage future research, involving the use of large ichnological datasets.本文提出了一种面向遗迹学数据的关系型数据库设计方案，用以阐明并解决当前古生物数据库存在的诸多不足。当前古生物数据库将源自实体化石研究的概念与术语体系，直接应用于遗迹化石记录的管理工作中。我们认为，实体化石与遗迹化石之间存在本质差异，这种直接套用的做法并不恰当。这些差异源于遗迹化石本质上记录的是造迹生物的行为，而非生物体的系统发育亲缘关系。本数据库被命名为IchnoDB，作者在整个设计流程中对其开展了多轮测试，以确保本文所提出的针对现有古生物数据库的改进方案具备实际可用性。在阐述本遗迹学数据库的设计思路与底层逻辑的同时，我们期望现有成熟的古生物数据库能够在其架构中纳入专属于遗迹学的字段模块。此举将为后续涉及大型遗迹学数据集的研究提供有力支撑与激励。