Discover the Ultimate ‘Library of Life’: A New Database Cataloging Body Sizes of Marine Animals

Craig McClain started the Marine Organism Body Size (MOBS) project during his 2022 sabbatical. For years, he had been gathering data on body sizes of various marine species. This project turned into a passion, combining his earlier efforts into a single, organized database.

Before launching MOBS, McClain faced challenges with taxonomy. Finding reliable body size data for species, like octopuses, was difficult because existing sources weren’t always up-to-date. But in recent years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) was created. It catalogs marine life and assigns numerical codes to new species, helping streamline data collection. McClain linked MOBS to this system, allowing for easy updates as new species are recognized.

MOBS emphasizes body length instead of weight. McClain noted that most descriptions of new marine species include linear measurements like length and width. Weight measurements are uncommon unless specifically studied. This makes it hard to compare sizes across different species.

Interestingly, even with similar weights, different marine animals can have very different structures. For instance, a sea slug and a jellyfish might weigh the same but have different carbon contents. Similarly, a one-meter long worm and a one-meter long sea urchin will differ in weight because of their shapes. To address these differences, McClain plans to create a separate database for length-to-weight conversions.

Recent studies highlight the importance of understanding body size in marine biology. A report from the Nature Conservation Journal states that body size impacts an organism’s metabolism, reproduction, and survival rates. Thus, databases like MOBS not only store vital data but also contribute to ongoing research in marine ecosystems. By mapping out these relationships, scientists can better manage marine life and understand how changes in environment and climate may affect various species.

As more data becomes available through projects like MOBS, our understanding of marine life will continue to grow. This foundational work not only aids researchers but also enhances our appreciation of the ocean’s diversity.

Source link