A World Register of Marine A World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) for use in Species (WoRMS) for use in

marine and biodiversitymarine and biodiversitydata managementdata management

www.marinespecies.org

Ward Appeltans, Mark J. Costello, Bart Vanhoorne, Francisco Hernandez, Jan Mees, Edward Vanden Berghe

Flanders Marine InstituteUniversity of Auckland; Leigh Marine Laboratory

Rutgers University; Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction

ProgressProgress

In practiceIn practice

ServicesServices

Summary & futureSummary & future

IntroductionIntroductionWoRMS builds on experience in developing the European Register of Marine SpeciesWoRMS builds on experience in developing the European Register of Marine Species

WoRMS will provide the first authoritative list of names of all marine and brackish WoRMS will provide the first authoritative list of names of all marine and brackish water species world-widewater species world-wide

The Aphia database, developed and maintained by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), The Aphia database, developed and maintained by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), serves as the IT platform for WoRMS. VLIZ commits itself in long-term hosting and serves as the IT platform for WoRMS. VLIZ commits itself in long-term hosting and management of WoRMSmanagement of WoRMS

Currently well over 100 world leading taxonomists are contributing to WoRMS of which Currently well over 100 world leading taxonomists are contributing to WoRMS of which many many are using Aphia to edit the content of WoRMSare using Aphia to edit the content of WoRMS

WoRMS is the marine contribution to the Species2000 & Integrated Taxonomic WoRMS is the marine contribution to the Species2000 & Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)’ Information System (ITIS)’ Catalogue of LifeCatalogue of Life, and will collaborate with the Global , and will collaborate with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) & Encyclopedia of Life (EoL)’s Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) & Encyclopedia of Life (EoL)’s Global Names Global Names ArchitectureArchitecture. It will serve as the . It will serve as the taxonomic backbonetaxonomic backbone of GBIF, EoL and the international of GBIF, EoL and the international Ocean Biogeographic Information System (iOBIS)Ocean Biogeographic Information System (iOBIS)

WoRMS is an “initiative” that is underway

ProgressProgressStatistics (March 2008) Statistics (March 2008)

• 137 taxonomists137 taxonomists• 220,000 taxa220,000 taxa• 175,000 species; 119,500 valid species (~50% of all marine species)175,000 species; 119,500 valid species (~50% of all marine species)• 5,200 pictures5,200 pictures• 45,457 literature sources 45,457 literature sources • 2,414 specimens2,414 specimens• 14,000,000 distribution records in OBIS 14,000,000 distribution records in OBIS

ERMS #RSDs & GSDs

e.g. all fish

MASDEA & TISBE

ProgressProgress14 global species databases 14 global species databases

World databases ofWorld databases of• PoriferaPorifera• Proseriata and Kalyptorhynchia - Proseriata and Kalyptorhynchia -

RhabditophoraRhabditophora• Mysids – NemysMysids – Nemys• Nematodes – NemysNematodes – Nemys• CumaceaCumacea• BrachiopodaBrachiopoda• PhoronidaPhoronida• PycnogonidaPycnogonida• OphiuroideaOphiuroidea• EuphausiaceaEuphausiacea• TanaidaceaTanaidacea• IsopodaIsopoda• PiscesPisces• PolychaetaPolychaeta• To come: Amphipoda, Unesco Register of Marine To come: Amphipoda, Unesco Register of Marine

OrganismsOrganisms

6 regional species databases 6 regional species databases

•European Register of Marine Species European Register of Marine Species (ERMS)(ERMS)•Register of Antarctic Marine Species Register of Antarctic Marine Species (RAMS)(RAMS)•North Atlantic Register for Marine Species North Atlantic Register for Marine Species (NARMS)(NARMS)•Taxonomic Information System for the Taxonomic Information System for the Belgian Coastal Area (TISBE)Belgian Coastal Area (TISBE)•Marine Species Database for Eastern Africa Marine Species Database for Eastern Africa (MASDEA)(MASDEA)•North Sea Benthos Project/Survey North Sea Benthos Project/Survey (NSBP/NSBS)(NSBP/NSBS)

•To come: Arctic Register of Marine SpeciesTo come: Arctic Register of Marine Species

One database, many collectionsOne database, many collections

All names stored locally in Aphia database

Relational database Relational database

Aphia database structure (MS SQL)

Data contentData content

•Scientific and common names in an hierarchical classification

•Nomenclatural status: valid and invalid synonyms

•Authority of names

•links to full-text references – if available (e.g. original publication, sources of synonymy, etc)

•Specimen information, with identification history (incl. type locality, type location, etc…)

•Distribution records (incl. depth, abundance, time, source)

•Images

•Other information: environment, fossil, feeding type, …

•Deep links to ITIS, MARLIN etc

GovernanceGovernance

Editorial boardEditorial board

•Database Management Team (VLIZ, OBIS, SeaLifeBase) prepares data for bulk upload

•After proper identification, taxonomic experts and have online access to remotely manage (add/edit/delete) the entire content of WoRMS

•Edit rights are assigned based on a taxon rank in the classification (e.g. phylum, class, order, family of a particular taxon…)

GovernanceGovernance

Steering committee Steering committee & responsibilities through present & responsibilities through present involvement in other organisationsinvolvement in other organisations

Mark J. CostelloMark J. Costello 1,2,3,5,8,16 1,2,3,5,8,16 **Edward Vanden Berghe Edward Vanden Berghe 1,2,3,5,8 1,2,3,5,8 **Nicolas Bailly Nicolas Bailly 1,3,5,6,121,3,5,6,12

Philippe Bouchet Philippe Bouchet 1,3,4,1,131,3,4,1,13

Charles Griffiths Charles Griffiths 2,152,15

Michael D. Guiry Michael D. Guiry 1,2,3,5,111,2,3,5,11

Ward Appeltans Ward Appeltans 1,2,31,2,3

Maria (Deng) Palomares Maria (Deng) Palomares 1010 David (Paddy) J. Patterson David (Paddy) J. Patterson 1,2,4,8,91,2,4,8,9

Gary C. B. PooreGary C. B. Poore 2,14 2,14

Tony ReesTony Rees 2 2

Gary Rosenberg Gary Rosenberg 2,4,132,4,13

Sabine StSabine Stööhr hr 77

European Register of Marine SpeciesEuropean Register of Marine SpeciesOcean Biogeographic Information SystemOcean Biogeographic Information SystemSociety for the Management of European Biodiversity Society for the Management of European Biodiversity

DataDataInternational Code of Zoological Nomenclature International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Species 2000Species 2000Catalogue of LifeCatalogue of LifeEchinodermataEchinodermataEncyclopaedia of LifeEncyclopaedia of LifeInternational Census of Marine MicrobesInternational Census of Marine MicrobesSeaLifeBaseSeaLifeBaseAlgaeBaseAlgaeBaseFishBaseFishBaseMolluscaMolluscaCrustacea, Crustacea.netCrustacea, Crustacea.netAfrican speciesAfrican speciesInternational Association for Biological OceanographyInternational Association for Biological Oceanography** WoRMS coordinator/leader WoRMS coordinator/leader

WebsiteWebsite

Website main portalWebsite main portal

> 6,000 unique visitors and > 300,000 hits per

month (but not yet widely

advertised)

WebsiteWebsite

Website subportalsWebsite subportals

WebsiteWebsite

Website search interfaceWebsite search interface

e.g. all species in Holothuriidae

WebsiteWebsite

Website search interfaceWebsite search interface

Database downloadDatabase download

MS Access database

Monthly archives

Request forms are available online

Password restricted

Webservices : match toolWebservices : match tool

Aphia taxon match toolAphia taxon match tool

Webservices: SOAP requests Webservices: SOAP requests WoRMS web serviceWoRMS web service

• get the AphiaID for your taxon get the AphiaID for your taxon • check the spelling of your taxa check the spelling of your taxa • get the authority for your taxa get the authority for your taxa • get the full classification for your taxa get the full classification for your taxa • resolve all your invalid names to valid namesresolve all your invalid names to valid names• match your species listmatch your species list• resolve a common name to a scientific nameresolve a common name to a scientific name

End usersEnd users

Examples of end-usersExamples of end-users

Data systemsData systems• GBIF, OBIS, Species 2000, EoL, SeaLifeBase, ZooBankGBIF, OBIS, Species 2000, EoL, SeaLifeBase, ZooBank

Government science policy agencies that Government science policy agencies that requested a copy of the databaserequested a copy of the database• E.g. E.g. European Environment Agency, International Council for Exploration of European Environment Agency, International Council for Exploration of

the Sea, the Sea, Rijkswaterstaat (Netherlands),Rijkswaterstaat (Netherlands), Nature Protection Directorate (Italy), Nature Protection Directorate (Italy), L'Inventaire national du Patrimoine naturel (France), IFREMER, Federal L'Inventaire national du Patrimoine naturel (France), IFREMER, Federal Environmental Agency (Germany), Akvaplan-NIVA (Norway), National Cancer Environmental Agency (Germany), Akvaplan-NIVA (Norway), National Cancer Institute, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (Greece), Stazione Zoologica Institute, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (Greece), Stazione Zoologica Napoli (Italy), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) Napoli (Italy), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) [already users of [already users of European Register of Marine Species]European Register of Marine Species]

Individuals through websiteIndividuals through website• scientists, students, naturalists, ecological consultants, environmental scientists, students, naturalists, ecological consultants, environmental

managersmanagers

SummarySummaryWhat is WoRMS?What is WoRMS?

StandardStandard nomenclature for marine species data management nomenclature for marine species data management

Taxonomically authoritative, expert-editedTaxonomically authoritative, expert-edited, sustainable, register of , sustainable, register of marine speciesmarine species

Involving taxonomic Involving taxonomic expertise at global, regional and national levelsexpertise at global, regional and national levels so as to provide national context so as to provide national context

InteroperableInteroperable with existing and emerging species name registers and with existing and emerging species name registers and information systemsinformation systems

Hosting gap taxaHosting gap taxa at Flanders Marine Institute’s Aphia databaseat Flanders Marine Institute’s Aphia database

Added-value name servicesAdded-value name services for biodiversity and marine data centres, for biodiversity and marine data centres, organisations and individualsorganisations and individuals

Next step in taxonomic quality controlNext step in taxonomic quality control for ocean biodiversity for ocean biodiversity informatics infrastructure for research, resource management, and informatics infrastructure for research, resource management, and educationeducation

Developing a global ocean biodiversity informatics communityDeveloping a global ocean biodiversity informatics community from from taxon experts to end-userstaxon experts to end-users

First step in having data on all marine species First step in having data on all marine species distribution, distribution, identification, biology and ecologyidentification, biology and ecology onlineonline

FutureFuture

•Our goal is 200,000 valid species names by 2009, reaching near completion Our goal is 200,000 valid species names by 2009, reaching near completion by 2010 (~240-250,000 species).by 2010 (~240-250,000 species).

•WoRMS will fill marine gaps in regional and global expert-edited species WoRMS will fill marine gaps in regional and global expert-edited species nomenclaturesnomenclatures

•Enchance more open-access quality controlled dataEnchance more open-access quality controlled data

•Improve online data exploration, visualization, and analysisImprove online data exploration, visualization, and analysis

•WoRMS will harmonise species name registers for data quality control with WoRMS will harmonise species name registers for data quality control with GBIF & EoL (ECAT, GNA), OBIS, Species 2000 (CoL) etc.GBIF & EoL (ECAT, GNA), OBIS, Species 2000 (CoL) etc.

Thanks to our expert editorsThanks to our expert editorsEditorial board affiliations (on 15 December 2007): Editorial board affiliations (on 15 December 2007): Check online: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=editors

Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History – USASmithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History – USANova Southeastern University; Oceanographic Centre – USANova Southeastern University; Oceanographic Centre – USAUniversity of Maine; Darling Marine Center – USAUniversity of Maine; Darling Marine Center – USACalifornia Academy of Sciences – USACalifornia Academy of Sciences – USAFlorida Museum of Natural History – USAFlorida Museum of Natural History – USACenter for Systematic Biology and Evolution; Academy of Natural Sciences – USACenter for Systematic Biology and Evolution; Academy of Natural Sciences – USAMuseum Victoria – AustraliaMuseum Victoria – AustraliaCSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research – AustraliaCSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research – AustraliaInstitute for Sea Fisheries – GermanyInstitute for Sea Fisheries – GermanySwedish Museum of Natural History – SwedenSwedish Museum of Natural History – SwedenZoologisch Museum Amsterdam – NetherlandsZoologisch Museum Amsterdam – NetherlandsNatural History Museum – UKNatural History Museum – UKMuséum National d’Histoire Naturelle – FranceMuséum National d’Histoire Naturelle – FranceRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences – BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences – BelgiumUniversiteit Hasselt – BelgiumUniversiteit Hasselt – BelgiumUniversiteit Gent – BelgiumUniversiteit Gent – Belgium…

Thanks to our sponsors and Thanks to our sponsors and supporterssupporters

SponsorsSponsorsFlanders Marine InstituteFlanders Marine InstituteMarBEF network of excellenceMarBEF network of excellenceOcean Biogeographic Information SystemOcean Biogeographic Information SystemUniversity of AucklandUniversity of AucklandGlobal Biodiversity Information FacilityGlobal Biodiversity Information FacilityRichard Lounsbery FoundationRichard Lounsbery Foundation

SupportersSupportersIntergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s IODE (UNESCO)Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s IODE (UNESCO)International Association of Biological Oceanography (a member of IUBS)International Association of Biological Oceanography (a member of IUBS)International Code on Zoological Nomenclature’s ZooBankInternational Code on Zoological Nomenclature’s ZooBankInternational Union of Biological SciencesInternational Union of Biological SciencesCensus of Marine LifeCensus of Marine LifeInternational Census of Marine MicrobesInternational Census of Marine MicrobesEncyclopaedia of LifeEncyclopaedia of LifeSeaLifeBase, WorldFishSeaLifeBase, WorldFishFishBaseFishBaseSpecies 2000, Catalogue of LifeSpecies 2000, Catalogue of Life