OArCS is a structural model for the description of anatomical features (morphemes) using ontologies. Its domain is the Arthropod ciruclatory system. The OArCS ontology, in OWL format, is available
https://github.com/aszool/oarcs. The ontology is fully accessible and editable through the web, and interested parties are encouraged to become involved in its development. Although the database is continually updated the list of terms, definitions, and relationships should be considered incomplete. If you find errors or omissions, or you would like to contribute please use the
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OArCS contains a comprehensive collection of over 370 terms tied to over 290 concepts which are used for the description of various phenotypic aspects of circulatory organ features in arthropods. Each concept contains a genus-differentia definition which is taxon-independent and is based exclusively on structural attributes in strict avoidance of any reference to function or homology. Besides the obligatory relationships “is_a” and “part_of”, it also provides relationships specific for the circulatory system, e.g. “gives_rise_to/emanates from”, etc.