South African National Species Checklist (Catalogue of Life in South Africa, COLSA)

In the current version, 99254 accepted names with 37144 synonyms, and South African vernaculars are included in the data package. The current 2025 version is composed of three key datasets, including the South African National Plant Checklist, the South African National Animal Checklist, and the List of Alien Species in South Africa (2025).

This consolidated and authoritative list of species is presented in a manner that is tidy and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) and will be maintained and expanded as additional species lists become available. Nationally, many institutions throughout South Africa have contributed species lists through SANBI’s managed network of Partners. Here, programmes like the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme and the SANBI-GBIF Node, has supported the generation and mobilisation of biodiversity data, for its use in scientific research, policy and decision-making.