# science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific

Search the ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) database by scientific name or partial name. Returns matching taxa with their TSN (Taxonomic Serial Number), full scientific name, author citation, and kingdom — the TSN can then be used with itistaxonomy.get_full_record for full classification detail (itis.gov, USGS public data)

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-whiteknightonhorse-apibase/science.itistaxonomy.search-scientific

## Facts

- Tool: `science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific`
- Server: Apibase (`apibase-mcp-client`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-whiteknightonhorse-apibase.md
- Install: `npx -y apibase-mcp-client`
- Homepage: https://github.com/whiteknightonhorse/APIbase
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 1 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `query` | string | yes | Scientific name or partial name to search (e.g. "Puma concolor", "Bison bison", or genus only "Ursus"). |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific",
    "arguments": {
      "query": "<query>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific is rated Low

Queries public taxonomic database with no write, execute, or destructive capabilities.

From the tool's own definition: "Search ITIS database, returns matching taxa, public data"

## Use case

AI agents call science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific to retrieve information from Apibase without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Apibase:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "science.itistaxonomy.search_scientific": {}
  }
}
```

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## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-whiteknightonhorse-apibase · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-whiteknightonhorse-apibase