http://www.boldsystems.org/. The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD), is a web platform that provides an integrated environment for the assembly and use of DNA barcode data. It delivers an online database for collection and management of specimen, distributional, and molecular data as well as analytical tools to support their validation. Over the past few years, BOLD has grown to become a powerful online workbench and the central informatics hub of the DNA barcoding community. BOLD is freely available to any researcher with interests in DNA Barcoding. By providing specialized services, it aids in the publication of records that meet the standards needed to gain BARCODE designation in the global sequence databases. Because of its web-based delivery and flexible data security model, it is also well positioned to support projects that involve broad research alliances.