DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.27620676.v3
title: marineSpeciesTraits: Global Marine Species Traits Database

description: [Dataset]. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.27620676<b>Biodiversity Data Science</b> [www.biodiversitydatascience.com]-----------------This dataset provides a comprehensive compilation of traits for a vast number of marine species, sourced from a combination of reputable databases, expert knowledge, and newly processed data. It includes 196,000 marine species, encompassing a wide range of taxonomic groups, including (but not exclusively) Ochrophyta (brown algae), Rhodophyta (red algae), Chlorophyta (green algae), Tracheophyta (seagrass and mangroves), Chordata (mammals, birds, fish, and turtles), Arthropoda (crustaceans), Mollusks (snails, clams, squids, octopuses), Echinoderms (sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers), Brachiopoda (lamp shells), Cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, hydras), Sponges, Annelida (polychaetes), and Bryozoa. For each species, the database includes key information such as taxonomy, expert information on geographic and depth distributions, and important species-specific traits (e.g., habitat preference, feeding type, trophic level, longevity, behavior, morphology, and dispersal). Importantly, the dataset also incorporates information on fishing vulnerability and conservation status, providing valuable insights into the ecological and conservation significance of each species.The creation of this database involved a meticulous multi-step process leveraging R and several key data sources. A Comprehensive species list was extracted and standardized using the WoRMS (https://www.marinespecies.org) database, ensuring taxonomic consistency and resolving synonyms. Subsequently, a variety of traits were extracted from AquaMaps, FishBase, SeaLifeBase, IUCN, Bird Life, and LifeWatch. This information was supplemented by data gathered from existing literature, such as published datasets on the distribution of demosponges (Vafeiadou et al., 2024), cold-water corals (Balogh et al., 2023), and marine forests (Assis et al., 2020), as well as newly compiled datasets on pelagic species traits, coral traits, and propagule duration. These additional sources provided valuable information for species not fully covered in the primary databases, ensuring a more comprehensive compilation of traits.This database holds immense potential for macroecological and biogeographical research. Its extensive coverage of species and traits allows for large-scale analyses of biodiversity patterns, species distributions, and the factors that influence them. Researchers can use this data to investigate the relationships between species traits and environmental variables, predict the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity, and identify priority areas for conservation. Furthermore, the inclusion of traits like fishing vulnerability and conservation status enables the assessment of extinction risk and the development of effective conservation strategies. This database represents a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of marine ecosystems and for informing sustainable management practices.Files<code>marineSpeciesTraits</code>: The full dataset comprising 196,000 marine species.<code>marineSpeciesTraitsReduced</code>: A reduced version of the dataset comprising 71,000 marine species, with complete information on geographic and depth distributions.Disclaimer on Citation and Data UsageThis database utilizes data from several publicly available sources, including online databases and scientific publications. It is crucial to acknowledge the original sources when using or presenting results derived from this work.Vafeiadou, A., Fragkopoulou & Assis, J. (2024). A global dataset of demosponge distribution records. Data in Brief. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110200Balogh, V., Fragkopoulou, E., Serrão, E. A., & Assis, J. (2023). A dataset of cold-water coral distribution records. Data in Brief. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109223Assis, J., Fragkopoulou, E., Frade, D., Neiva, J., Oliveira, A., Abecasis, D., Faugeron, S., Serrão, E. A., Frade, D., Neiva, J., Oliveira, A., Abecasis, D., Faugeron, S., & Serrão, E. A. (2020). A fine-tuned global distribution dataset of marine forests. Scientific Data. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0459-xPalomares, M.L.D. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. SeaLifeBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.sealifebase.org, version (02/2023).Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (02/2023).WoRMS Editorial Board (2023). World Register of Marine Species. Accessed at https://www.marinespecies.org on 01-01-2025. doi:10.14284/170.LifeWatch Belgium (2023). LifeWatch Species Information Backbone. Available online at https://www.lifewatch.be/en/lifewatch-species-information-backbone. Accessed on 01-01-2025.Kaschner, K., R. Watson, A.W. Trites, and D. Pauly. 2006. Mapping world-wide distributions of marine mammal species using a relative environmental suitability (RES) model. Marine Ecology Progress Series 316: 285-310.BirdLife International (2023). [Name of the dataset used, e.g., IUCN Red List for birds, or Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas]. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 01-01-2025.IUCN (2023). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-2. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on 01-01-2025.Database Fields1. Taxonomy (19 fields)<code>originalName</code>: The original scientific name of the species as it appeared in the source database.<code>AphiaID</code>: A unique numerical identifier assigned to the species by the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).<code>url</code>: A web address (URL) linking to the species page on WoRMS.<code>scientificName</code>: The standardized scientific name of the species, according to WoRMS.<code>authority</code>: The author(s) who first described the species scientifically, along with the year of publication.<code>status</code>: The taxonomic status of the species name (e.g., ‘accepted’, ‘synonym’).<code>unacceptreason</code>: The reason why a name is considered ‘unaccepted’ (if applicable).<code>taxonRankID</code>: A numerical code representing the taxonomic rank of the species (e.g., species, genus, family).<code>rank</code>: The taxonomic rank of the species (e.g., ‘Species’, ‘Genus’, ‘Family’).<code>validAphiaID</code>: The AphiaID of the currently accepted name for the species, if different from the <code>AphiaID</code>.<code>validName</code>: The currently accepted scientific name for the species, if different from the <code>scientificName</code>.<code>validAuthority</code>: The authority for the currently accepted scientific name.<code>parentNameUsageID</code>: The AphiaID of the taxonomic group that contains this species (e.g., the genus for a species).<code>taxKingdom</code>: The kingdom to which the species belongs (e.g., ‘Animalia’).<code>taxPhylum</code>: The phylum to which the species belongs (e.g., ‘Chordata’).<code>taxClass</code>: The class to which the species belongs (e.g., ‘Mammalia’).<code>taxOrder</code>: The order to which the species belongs.<code>taxFamily</code>: The family to which the species belongs.<code>taxGenus</code>: The genus to which the species belongs.2. Habitat and Distribution (14 fields)<code>habitatDepthMin</code>: The minimum depth (in meters) at which the species is known to occur.<code>habitatDepthMax</code>: The maximum depth (in meters) at which the species is known to occur.<code>habitatType</code>: The broad category of the species’ habitat (e.g., ‘Benthic’, ‘Pelagic’, ‘Demersal’).<code>habitatZone</code>: More specific habitat zone within the broader habitat type (e.g., ‘Intertidal’, ‘Continental Shelf’, ‘Epipelagic’).<code>habitatRef</code>: The source(s) of the information on habitat and depth.<code>Sessile</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is sessile (immobile, attached to the substrate). 1 = Sessile, 0 = Not sessile.<code>distributionFAOAreas</code>: A comma-separated list of FAO area codes where the species is found.<code>distributionFAOAreasRef</code>: The source(s) of the information on FAO areas.<code>habitatDepthSource</code>: Indicates whether the depth information is specific to the species (‘Species’) or derived from the genus (‘Genus’).<code>DemersPelag</code>: Indicates whether the species is demersal (living on or near the seafloor) or pelagic (living in the water column).<code>Benthic</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is benthic (lives on the seafloor). 1 = Benthic, 0 = Not benthic.<code>Endofauna</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is endofauna (lives within the sediment). 1 = Endofauna, 0 = Not endofauna.<code>Pelagic</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is pelagic (lives in the water column). 1 = Pelagic, 0 = Not pelagic.<code>Mobile</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is mobile. 1 = Mobile, 0 = Not mobile.3. Morphology (7 fields)<code>morphologyWeight</code>: The maximum recorded weight of the species (in grams or kilograms).<code>morphologySize</code>: The maximum recorded length of the species (in centimeters or meters).<code>morphologySizeMin</code>: The minimum recorded length of the species.<code>morphologySizeMax</code>: The maximum recorded length of the species.<code>morphologySizeLifeStage</code>: The life stage for which the size information (<code>morphologySize</code>, <code>morphologySizeMin</code>, <code>morphologySizeMax</code>) is recorded (e.g., ‘Adult’, ‘Juvenile’).<code>morphologySizeRef</code>: The source(s) of the size information.<code>Length</code>: The maximum recorded length of the species (this appears to be a duplicate of <code>morphologySize</code> - consider removing one).4. Ecology (33 fields)<code>LifeCycle</code>: A description of the species’ life cycle (e.g., ‘complex’, ‘simple’).<code>LongevityWild</code>: The maximum lifespan of the species (in years).<code>LongevityWildRef</code>: The source(s) of the longevity information.<code>feedingType</code>: The feeding mode or trophic strategy of the species (e.g., ‘herbivore’, ‘carnivore’, ‘omnivore’, ‘filter feeder’).<code>feedingTypeAphiaIdPrey</code>: If applicable, the AphiaID of the species.<code>feedingTypeRef</code>: The source(s) of the feeding type information.<code>propaguleDuration</code>: The duration of the propagule stage (the stage of development that is dispersed, e.g., larvae, spores) in days.<code>propaguleDurationRef</code>: The source(s) of the propagule duration information.<code>Aquarium</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is kept in aquariums. 1 = Kept in aquariums, 0 = Not kept in aquariums.<code>AquariumRef</code>: The source(s) of the aquarium information.<code>GameFish</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is a game fish (targeted for recreational fishing). 1 = Game fish, 0 = Not a game fish.<code>GameRef</code>: The source(s) of the game fish information.<code>Aquaculture</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species is used in aquaculture. 1 = Used in aquaculture, 0 = Not used in aquaculture.<code>AquacultureRef</code>: The source(s) of the aquaculture information.<code>Importance</code>: A description of the species’ economic or ecological importance.<code>ImportanceRef</code>: The source(s) of the importance information.<code>priorR</code>: A numerical value representing the prior ‘r’ value used in trophic level estimation.<code>TrophicDiet</code>: The trophic level of the species based on its diet composition.<code>TrophicFood</code>: The trophic level of the species based on its position in the food web.<code>seTrophic</code>: The standard error associated with the trophic level estimate.<code>Parasitism</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species exhibits parasitism. 1 = Parasitic, 0 = Not parasitic.<code>Mutualism</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species engages in mutualistic relationships. 1 = Mutualistic, 0 = Not mutualistic.<code>Commensalism</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species exhibits commensalism. 1 = Commensal, 0 = Not commensal.<code>Symphorism</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species exhibits symphorism (a type of commensalism where one organism benefits by using the other for transport). 1 = Symphoric, 0 = Not symphoric.<code>Symbiosis</code>: A binary indicator (0 or 1) of whether the species engages in symbiotic relationships (including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism). 1 = Symbiotic, 0 = Not symbiotic.<code>EcoseTroph</code>: The trophic level of the species estimated using the ‘Ecospace’ model.<code>EcoTroph</code>: The trophic level of the species estimated using the ‘Ecopath’ model.<code>IsoTroph</code>: The trophic level of the species estimated using stable isotope analysis.<code>FoodRemark</code>: Additional remarks or notes on the species’ food sources.<code>FoodSeTroph</code>: The standard error associated with the food-based trophic level estimate.<code>FoodRef</code>: The source(s) of the information on food and trophic level.<code>DietSeTroph</code>: The standard error associated with the diet-based trophic level estimate.<code>DietTLu</code>: The unit used for the diet-based trophic level estimate.<code>DietseTLu</code>: The standard error of the unit used for the diet-based trophic level estimate.<code>DietRemark</code>: Additional remarks or notes on the species’ diet.<code>DietRef</code>: The source(s) of the diet information.<code>Herbivory2</code>: Information on the herbivorous feeding habits of the species.<code>HerbivoryRef</code>: The source(s) of the herbivory information.<code>AgeMax</code>: The maximum recorded age of the species (in years).<code>AgeMin</code>: The minimum recorded age of the species (in years).<code>DepthMaxEstimate</code>: The estimated maximum depth at which the species can occur.<code>DepthMinEstimate</code>: The estimated minimum depth at which the species can occur.<code>PredPreyRatioMax</code>: The maximum predator-p ratio for the species.<code>PredPreyRatioMin</code>: The minimum predator-p ratio for the species.<code>TrophPredicted</code>: The predicted trophic level of the species.<code>TrophObserved</code>: The observed trophic level of the species.5. Conservation (5 fields)<code>iucnCriteria</code>: The IUCN Red List category assigned to the species (e.g., ‘Least Concern’, ‘Vulnerable’, ‘Endangered’).<code>iucnCriteriaDim</code>: The dimension of the IUCN Red List criteria used for the assessment (e.g., ‘A’ for population reduction, ‘B’ for geographic range).<code>iucnCriteriaRef</code>: The source of the IUCN assessment information.<code>fishingVulnerability</code>: A numerical index indicating the species’ vulnerability to fishing pressure.<code>phylogeneticDiversityIndex</code>: A measure of the species’ phylogenetic distinctiveness or contribution to evolutionary diversity.6. Importance (8 fields)<code>habitatsDirectiveAnnex</code>: The annex of the EU Habitats Directive in which the species is listed (if applicable).<code>habitatsDirectiveAnnexRef</code>: The source(s) of the Habitats Directive information.<code>birdsDirectiveAnnex</code>: The annex of the EU Birds Directive in which the species is listed (if applicable).<code>birdsDirectiveAnnexRef</code>: The source(s) of the Birds Directive information.<code>Importance</code>: A description of the species’ economic or ecological importance.<code>ImportanceRef</code>: The source(s) of the importance information.<code>Vulnerability</code>: A numerical index indicating the species’ vulnerability (this might be related to <code>fishingVulnerability</code> - consider clarifying).<code>PD50</code>: A measure related to propagule dispersal distance (this might belong in the Ecology section).7. Dispersal (3 fields)<code>dispersionMode</code>: The mode of dispersal for the species (e.g., ‘plankton’, ‘brooding’).<code>dispersionModeLifestage</code>: The life stage at which the dispersal mode is relevant.<code>dispersionModeRef</code>: The source(s) of the dispersal mode information.8. Other (1 field)<code>taxGroup</code>: A categorical variable grouping species based on their primary environmental responses (e.g., ‘nutrients’, ‘temperature’, ‘oxygen’).9. Citation (1 field)<code>citation</code>: The full citation for the WoRMS database entry for the species.