This dataset consists of a random selection of 600 marine accepted species from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), all described between 2013 and 2017. We have considered all species originally described as new, irrespective of whether they have subsequently been synonymized; however, nominal taxa originally described at a rank lower than species (i.e., subspecies and/or, in the case of taxa under the Code of Botanical Nomenclature, variety) are not included. Prokaryotes and viruses were not included. The original publication containing their descriptions was consulted and several attributes were documented on (a) the species and its ecological/geographical origin, (b) the context of its discovery, (c) the scientific publication and its authorship.