tdwg
taxonID required even without extensions - please update guidelines
A GBIF checklist publisher noticed an issue with the guidelines stating that:
If extensions are being used, each record in the core data MUST have a unique identifier. The field for this identifier MUST be specified in an explicit
field in order to associate extension records with the core record.
In some cases, publisher might have records in their databases for uncertain names (in this case potential synonym) that cannot be resolved, and for which they cannot provide a taxonID. However, they get an error when the try to publish their dataset stating that every record should have a taxonID, even though they do not use any extensions.
Perhaps the cited text should should be:
Each record in the core data MUST have a unique identifier. The field for this identifier MUST be specified in an explicit
field in order to associate extension records with the core record.
to avoid confusion?
