GBIF Species API
GBIF Species API for searching and matching taxonomic names, retrieving species profiles, and resolving biodiversity taxonomy identifiers.
Connect this API to an AI agent Browse all specs
What you can do with GBIF Species API via MCP
Every endpoint below becomes a governed tool your AI agent (Claude, ChatGPT, or a customer-facing VX agent) can call — with scoped permissions, sandbox testing, and audit logs.
| Method | Path | Operation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| GET | /species/search |
get_species_search | Search GBIF species names Method: GET Path: /species/search IMPORTANT: This function has 0 REQUIRED parameter(s) and 4 OPTIONAL parameter(s) REQUIRED parameters MUST be provided OPTIONAL parameters can be omitted if not needed Parameters: Query Parameters: OPTIONAL: - q: Taxon search text - rank: Taxonomic rank - limit: Maximum results - offset: Result offset |
| GET | /species/match |
get_species_match | Match a name to a GBIF taxon Method: GET Path: /species/match IMPORTANT: This function has 1 REQUIRED parameter(s) and 1 OPTIONAL parameter(s) REQUIRED parameters MUST be provided OPTIONAL parameters can be omitted if not needed Parameters: Query Parameters: REQUIRED: - name: Scientific name OPTIONAL: - kingdom: Kingdom filter |
| GET | /species/{taxonKey} |
get_species_taxonKey | Get a GBIF species record Method: GET Path: /species/{taxonKey} IMPORTANT: This function has 1 REQUIRED parameter(s) and 0 OPTIONAL parameter(s) REQUIRED parameters MUST be provided OPTIONAL parameters can be omitted if not needed Parameters: Path Parameters: REQUIRED: - taxonKey: GBIF taxon key |
| GET | /species/{taxonKey}/children |
get_species_taxonKey_children | List child taxa Method: GET Path: /species/{taxonKey}/children IMPORTANT: This function has 1 REQUIRED parameter(s) and 2 OPTIONAL parameter(s) REQUIRED parameters MUST be provided OPTIONAL parameters can be omitted if not needed Parameters: Path Parameters: REQUIRED: - taxonKey: GBIF taxon key Query Parameters: OPTIONAL: - limit: Maximum results - offset: Result offset |
Usage guide
The GBIF Species API is publicly readable and does not require an API key or bearer token. Use the documented rank, status, limit, offset, and name parameters and respect GBIF rate limits. Official documentation: https://techdocs.gbif.org/en/openapi/
How to use this spec
- Create a free VX Agents account (sandbox tools included).
- Open the marketplace and connect “GBIF Species API” to an agent.
- Expose it as an MCP server for Claude/ChatGPT, or chat with it directly.