Making the most of an introduction.
Someone has agreed to hear from you about your question. They are giving their time freely, often alongside research, teaching, fieldwork, curation, recording, or other commitments.
You do not need perfect terminology or a formal background. A clear question and useful context are enough.
Use the name and title shown in the introduction. Once they reply, follow the way they sign their own message.
Not everyone in the network is a doctor or professor, so there is no need to guess a title.
Briefly say who you are, restate your question, and explain what kind of help would be useful.
One clear question is easier to answer than several different requests at once.
Share the information that may help them understand the question. For an identification, include the public iNaturalist observation link, where and when the animal was found, its approximate size, its habitat, and clear photographs.
For research, study, careers, volunteering, or fieldwork, explain what you are currently doing and what decision or next step you need help with.
The person may answer your question, recommend a resource, suggest another contact, or explain that they cannot help further. An introduction opens a conversation. It does not create an obligation to provide continuing identification work, supervision, consultancy, collaboration, or repeated advice.
Ask before sending very large files or large numbers of photographs. Do not share their contact details or add them to a mailing list without permission.
Please allow at least ten working days.
There is no need to send repeated reminders. If you have not heard back after ten working days, contact the Ommatidium Project. We can follow up gently or look for another suitable person.
Please acknowledge the person’s reply, even when the answer is brief or they direct you elsewhere.
You can also update the Ommatidium Project through your private request page. Knowing what happened helps us improve future introductions.