Register of Antarctic Species (RAS) expands its content with traits

From 25-28th November 2019, 12 thematic editors of the Register of Antarctic Species (RAS) and the Register of Antarctic Marine Species (RAMS) met in Ostend to discuss the application of trait data in the Aphia platform in the context of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic region. A mixture of terrestrial and marine expertise was represented from various countries around the world. In addition, 2 experts provided input through remote participation.

LifeWatch Species Information Backbone: two major milestones reached

The data rescue and secured continuation of the Global Compositae Database and the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG) into the Aphia platform has become a fact.

Awardees for the 2020 WoRMS Achievement & Early Career Researchers Award known

This year, the WoRMS Achievement Award goes to Serge Gofas, and the WoRMS Early Career Researchers Award was granted to Thomas A. Neubauer.

OBIS celebrates 20 years and changes name to Ocean Biodiversity Information System

OBIS celebrates 20 years and changes name to Ocean Biodiversity Information System

WoRMS and Aphia: a major update for Bryozoan species in collaboration with Bryozoa.net

A dedicated synchronization collaboration between Aphia-WoRMS and Bryozoa.net results in a major update of Bryozoans in WoRMS. No less than 15,835 (sub)species have been added, together with a tremendous amount of valuable related information such as original descriptions and fossil ranges.

Marine Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD) available in gazetteer

Marine Regions added over 350 protected areas in Australia's state and Commonwealth waters to its database.

The International Compositae Alliance (TICA) and the launch of the Global Compositae Database through the Aphia platform

The Global Compositae Database (GCD) is an effort by The International Compositae Alliance to become the ultimate repository of curated names for the Compositae family. After securing the continuous existence of the GCD through the Aphia platform, TICA is now ready to keep its content up-to-date, and expand it where this would be needed.

WoRMS press release: Ten remarkable new marine species from 2019

As for previous years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has again released the annual list of the top-ten marine species described by researchers during the year 2019 to coincide with World Taxonomist Appreciation day - March 19th!

Tracking European eels in the English Channel

A pop-off tag used to track the migratory patterns of European eels has washed up in Guernsey.

Advancing Data Stewardship

On February 28th, the "Advancing Data Stewardship" meeting took place at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Ostend. This meeting was co-organized by VLIZ and VIB and was all about Open Science and Open Data initiatives.