a quick guide to
the
FunMorf Library
The references of the Functional Morphology Lab are stored in the Procite4-file ‘Morfo’. This file
originated from a dangerous liaison between the lab’s Mainbib-database and the “lizard library” (RVD).
Historical constraints (mainly the particularities of the Mainbib-software and the older Procite versions)
make it an imperfect child. However, in the best of all possible worlds, it is the best possible file. On
the latest check, Morfo contained 11 068 references.
 Consulting Morfo
The database manager guards the archetypical files that make up the Morfo reference database
(morfo.pdt and morfo.pdx). Copies can be found on the two central desktops in the lab. These copies
are kept as up-to-date as possible. You can download similar copies from the web (follow the links on
the Morfo website) and access them on your personal computer. You will have to install Procite4, but
that’s easy (ask the database manager for a copy of the programs).
To consult the Morfo database:

Activate Procite4

Open the Morfo – database (File > Open > morfo.pdt)

Browse or use the search facilities (Select > Search)

In the individual records, the Call number field (44) hints where a hard copy of the paper might be
found.
type of indicator
example
owner
location
hierarchical index
1.2.3-HUEY-85
Raoul Van Damme
C1.19
1.7-BARB-78-I
Dirk Bauwens
Instituut voor
(sometimes followed by a V)
hierarchical index
followed by a I
5 digit number followed
by initials
… (to be continued)
Natuurbehoud
10567-AH
Lab
 Adding new records
As a rule, the mother files of the funmorf reference database can only be edited after consulting the
database manager.
Please store new references in a temporary file (e.g. Hansnew.pdt) and mail this file to the database
manager, who will merge the file with the morfo-files. To prevent premature senility in the manager, do
not mail files more than once per month.
Avoid entering the same reference more than once by checking the morfo-files before entering new
references.
When entering the <Call number> field, use the conventions described above. If you want to store
the hard copy in the central library in the lab, leave the <Call number> field open. The database
manager will enter a number for you.
If you plan to store an electronic version (e.g. pdf-file) of the referenced paper, add an extra indicator
to the <Call number> field. This indicator should have the format
e-XX
in which the e indicates the electronic nature, and XX are the initials of the owner of the file. E.g. e-PA
means that Peter Aerts has an electronic version of the paper. It is the owner’s responsibility to store
his e-papers in such a way that he can easily forward them when needed.
When entering key-words, try to restrict yourself to the keywords already in use. One way to obtain a
list of key-words in use is by copying the morfo.pdt and morfo.pdx files to the appropriate subdirectory
on your own pc (usually c:/Program Files/Procite4/Database). The keywords can then be entered by
clicking the botton on the far right (see below). Alternatively, request a file from the database manager.
Below is a quick guide to entering new records.


According to the type of record you want to add to the database, select the appropriate
workform
If the new record is
then select
a paper in a journal
a chapter in a book
a complete book
Journal Short Form
Book Chapter
Book Short Form
For papers in journals, fill in the fields as shown in the example below.
• LastName followed by a comma and initials.
• No space between Last name and first initial.
• Space between period and second initial.
• Semicolon between authors. No spaces.
• Do not use « & » or « and ».
• Use official abbreviation
• Use periods
• No period after title.
• Use italics for species names
• Do not capitalize nouns
• Put year of publication only
• Use this
list to input
journals.
• Do not put issue numbers
• The call number refers to the
physical place where the paper is (or
should be); see below for details.
• As much as possible, use existing keywords (see list).
• Separate keywords by a slash (/).
• Use this
list to input
keywords.

For chapters in books, complete the fields as shown below:
• Author of the chapter.
• See also example Journal Short Form
• Title of the chapter.
• See also example Journal Short Form
• Editors of the book.
• Same rules as for Authors.
• Title of the book
• City where book was published

And for books :
 Adding new output styles
Procite4 allows users to write their own output styles. Output styles contain the instructions to
massage references into the format required by particular journals.
New output styles can be created via File>New>Output Style. It is a tedious job and therefore it would
be highly appreciated if you were willing to share your home-made Output Styles with the rest of the
FunMorf community. You can do so by mailing your Output Style to the database manager.