Algorithms for mutant sorting: the need for phenotype vocabularies.

For effectively annotated phenotypes for mouse, a number of detailed phenotypic classification systems are needed. The rapidly increasing number of phenotypically described characteristics of both normal and mutant mice are providing a rich data set for comparison and analysis. However, we cannot rely on text descriptions that are subject to the word-usage style of the writer if we are to do large-scale comparative analysis of traits and diseases. The rationale for developing vocabularies and examples of several vocabularies being developed are described. Finally, the critical nature of community participation in both building and applying phenotype vocabularies is discussed.