This template takes an optional id parameter, heading and page number or numbers for the MSW3 entry on the species or other subtaxon in question.

For example:

{{MSW3 Primates | id = 12100012 | page = 112}}

gives

Groves, C. P. (2005). "Order Primates". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

for the lesser dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus medius (the chapter link goes to the MSW3 web page for the species entry, while the title link goes to the Google Books preview for MSW3).

In the following example, a heading is added, which then replaces "Order Primates":

{{MSW3 Primates | id = 12100034 | pages = 114–116 | heading = Genus ''Eulemur''}}

giving

Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Eulemur". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 114–116. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

for Eulemur (the heading link now goes to the MSW3 web page for the genus entry).

An optional |ref= parameter is supported but seldom used. It allows specification of reference names in Harvard references, for use in the {{citation}} template family. For example, use of |ref={{harvid}} or |ref={{SfnRef}} templates enables subsequent use of short-format templates like {{harvnb}} or {{sfn}} (see Yarkand hare and Long-tailed vole for examples of usage).