# GBIF Species & Taxonomy Scraper (`scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper`) Actor
Scrape GBIF species and taxonomy records by name with scientific and canonical name, rank, full classification (kingdom to genus), taxonomic status, dataset key and descendant counts. Export to JSON, CSV or Excel.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrapers\_lat/gbif-species-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Scrapers Lat](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools, AI
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 90.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
from $6.80 / 1,000 results
This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.
Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event
## What's an Apify Actor?
Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".
## How to integrate an Actor?
If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.
- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).
For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.
For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).
# README
## GBIF Species & Taxonomy Scraper
> Search the global biodiversity backbone and export clean, structured taxonomy: scientific and canonical names, rank, full higher classification from kingdom to genus, taxonomic status, IUCN Red List conservation status, common names, descendant counts and dataset keys. Ideal for biodiversity research, data enrichment and reference lists.
**📥 [Input](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/input-schema) · 📤 [Output](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/output-schema) · 💰 [Pricing](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/pricing) · ▶️ [Examples](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples)**
Full classification kingdom to genus
Names & status with IUCN Red List status
JSON / CSV / Excel output formats
### Who is it for
| Use case | Who benefits |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity research | Ecologists and taxonomists building species lists |
| Data enrichment | Teams standardising species names against a global backbone |
| Education and apps | Builders adding taxonomy and common names to their products |
| Reference lists | Analysts mapping a genus or family to all its members |
### How to use it
1. Enter a **search query** (a scientific name like `Panthera`, a binomial like `Quercus robur`, or a common name).
2. Optionally filter by **rank** (for example only species), by **taxonomic status**, or by a specific **dataset key**.
3. Set **Max Items** and run. Export as JSON, CSV or Excel, or pull it through the Apify API.
### Frequently Asked Questions
**Does it return the full higher classification?**
Yes. Each record includes kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species where known, each with its GBIF key so you can traverse the tree.
**Can I get common names?**
Yes. When available, vernacular names are included with their language codes.
**How do I list every species in a genus?**
Search for the genus name and set the rank filter to Species; increase Max Items to cover all members.
**What is the difference between an accepted name and a synonym?**
The taxonomic status field tells you. Set the status filter to Accepted to keep only currently accepted names, or Synonym to study alternative names.
### Example use cases
Ready-to-run example tasks, each preconfigured for a common scenario. Open one and press run, or use it as a template:
- [Panthera leo species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-panthera-leo): Get Panthera leo taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Quercus robur species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-quercus-robur): Get Quercus robur taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Apis mellifera species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-apis-mellifera): Get Apis mellifera taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Homo sapiens species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-homo-sapiens): Get Homo sapiens taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Canis lupus species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-canis-lupus): Get Canis lupus taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Rosa species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-rosa): Get Rosa taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Escherichia coli species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-escherichia-coli): Get Escherichia coli taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Danaus plexippus species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-danaus-plexippus): Get Danaus plexippus taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Salmo salar species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-salmo-salar): Get Salmo salar taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
- [Puma concolor species & taxonomy from GBIF](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper/examples/gbif-puma-concolor): Get Puma concolor taxonomy and species records from GBIF: scientific name, rank, kingdom, status and dataset keys.
### Export, API and AI agents (x402 + MCP)
Export the scraped data to **JSON, CSV or Excel**, pull it as a **dataset** through the Apify **API**, or wire it into your app with **no code**. This web scraper and data extractor also works for bulk data extraction and scheduled runs.
For AI agents: this Actor is available on **x402**, Apify's agentic payment standard built with Coinbase. An AI agent can discover, pay for and run it on its own with a funded wallet and a single HTTP request: no account, no subscription, no API key and no human in the loop. It also runs as an **MCP** tool inside Claude, Cursor and other AI clients out of the box. Learn more about [x402 agentic payments on Apify](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/x402).
### Related scrapers
- [Crossref Works Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/crossref-scraper)
- [arXiv Research Papers & Abstracts Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/arxiv-papers-scraper)
### More scrapers at scrapers.lat
This actor is built and maintained by [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat), where we publish scrapers for public platforms: finance, news, real estate, jobs, e-commerce and government data. Browse the full catalog or ask us for a custom scraper at [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat).
***
> This actor is an independent tool and has no affiliation with GBIF. It only accesses publicly available biodiversity data. Use the results in accordance with the source's terms.
# Actor input Schema
## `maxSpecies` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of species / taxa to collect. Optional.
## `q` (type: `string`):
Species or taxon name to search for (for example 'Panthera', 'Quercus robur', 'butterfly'). Matches scientific and common names.
## `rank` (type: `string`):
Optional. Keep only records at a given rank.
## `status` (type: `string`):
Optional. Filter by taxonomic status.
## `datasetKey` (type: `string`):
Optional. Restrict results to a single GBIF checklist dataset by its UUID.
## `conservationStatus` (type: `boolean`):
When on, each taxon is enriched with its IUCN Red List conservation status (for example Vulnerable / VU) where available.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"maxSpecies": 50,
"q": "Panthera",
"rank": "",
"status": "",
"conservationStatus": true
}
```
# Actor output Schema
## `results` (type: `string`):
No description
# API
You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.
## JavaScript example
```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
token: '',
});
// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
"maxSpecies": 50,
"q": "Panthera"
};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper").call(input);
// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
console.dir(item);
});
// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs
```
## Python example
```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient
# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("")
# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
"maxSpecies": 50,
"q": "Panthera",
}
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
print(item)
# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start
```
## CLI example
```bash
echo '{
"maxSpecies": 50,
"q": "Panthera"
}' |
apify call scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=scrapers_lat/gbif-species-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/KTjmb3Sg8FNhaIKD7/builds/QRreUauWSekcw6WAf/openapi.json