ITIS

API

Authoritative taxonomic data API for species classification

Overview

The ITIS API provides curated taxonomic information for species across all kingdoms (plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria). Key endpoints include scientific/common name searches, taxon ID lookup, hierarchical classification retrieval, and synonym/distribution data access. Responses are available in XML or JSON formats. Use cases include biodiversity research, building species identification tools, integrating taxonomic data into educational platforms, and supporting conservation efforts by tracking species distributions.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://www.itis.gov/ws_description.html')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

Authoritative taxonomic data
RESTful endpoints
JSON/XML support
No API key required
Covers all taxonomic kingdoms
Synonym and distribution data

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ITIS free to use?

Yes, the ITIS API is completely free for public use as a U.S. government resource.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, you don't need an API key to access the ITIS API endpoints.

? What is the response format?

The ITIS API supports both XML and JSON response formats; you can specify your preferred format via request parameters.

Top Alternatives

NCBI Taxonomy API Search Google

GBIF API Search Google

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Science & Math

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free public access
⊕ Curated U.S. government data
⊕ Wide taxonomic coverage
⊕ Multiple response formats

Cons

⊖ Rate limits may apply
⊖ Documentation can be technical
⊖ Some endpoints require specific query parameters