Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:45:20 +0000 en Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:51:01 +0000 On September 5 and 6, 2025, the group of Talitraits editors met to include new thematic experts, refresh the workflow for the inclusion of trait information aligned with the WoRMS taxonomic backbone, and define new goals for the mid- and long-term.... ]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:10:08 +0000 The last day of 2025 was a dark and sad day for the Amphipoda community. Another one of their giants – Michael (Mike) Thurston - passed away: a deep-sea biologist, taxonomist, mentor and friend to many.... ]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:42:03 +0000 Once again taxonomists have continued to publish many wonderful new species throughout the last year. As we approach the end of 2025 it is time to think about nominations for The WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2025!... ]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 07:40:48 +0000 A taxon-match tool built on AlgaeBase is now available through the LifeWatch eLab, with the same functionalities as the WoRMS taxon-match tool.... ]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:18:29 +0000 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Denise Bellan-Santini, one of the founding editors of ERMS and an Amphipoda editor in WoRMS.... ]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:32:46 +0000 Last year, DecaNet editors Sammy De Grave, Sancia van der Meij and the WoRMS Data Management Team, received a University of Oxford grant to unravel the quirks of scientific naming in decapod crustaceans.... ]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:17:23 +0000 As part of a collaboration between WoRMS and Edaphobase, the World Database of Nematodes (Nemys) has been integrated as the official taxonomic backbone for Nematoda in Edaphobase.... ]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:55:10 +0000 The feedingtype attribute has been split into three different attributes: (1) Ecological interactions, (2) Trophic level, and (3) Feeding method.... ]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:49:47 +0000 This recently published paper in Marine Biodiversity formulates practical recommendations and clarification on temporary names and how they should be entered in a standardised way, not only into WoRMS but also into taxonomic databases in general.... ]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:54:40 +0000 Almost 20 years after the idea to „set up an individual page for every rotifer species” (2006), the Rotifer World Catalog finds a new home in Aphia, the data infrastructure behind the World Register of Marine Species. A dedicated portal was set up for these conspicuous micro-organisms, and their marine representatives are displayed through WoRMS as well.... ]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:00:13 +0000 Today is the launch day for the World List of Myxozoa, a Global Species Database under the umbrella of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).... ]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:20:36 +0000 The Flemish diving federation NELOS vzw (Dutch-speaking League for Underwater Research and Sports) has recently integrated the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) into its internal platform DIVES — a Digital Verification System used to log tens of thousands of dives each year.... ]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:49:59 +0000 This year, Sammy De Grave has been honored with the WoRMS Achievement Award, and the WoRMS Early Career Researcher Award goes to Sávio Gabriel Gomes Pereira.... ]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:25:29 +0000 Today is the launch day for the World List of Octocorallia, a Global Species Database under the umbrella of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).... ]]> Tue, 27 May 2025 09:44:53 +0000 Over the years as coordinator of the World Register of Marine Species, I’ve (co-)written and distributed a fair share of news messages, ranging from exciting updates, over more formal and objective announcements on new collaboration agreements, to annual updates and the occasional obituary. Never before have I had to wave goodbye to a long-serving Data Management Team (DMT) member, who’s starting his very well-deserved retirement. There is a ... ]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:23:50 +0000 Thanks to the contribution of The Nippon Foundation, the Ocean Census is offering financial awards of $5,000 to $20,000 to support marine species discovery around the world.... ]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:58:38 +0000 This verified database groups the marine species recorded from Peru.... ]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 23:35:39 +0000 As for previous years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has again released its annual list of the top-ten marine species described by researchers during the past year to coincide with World Taxonomist Appreciation Day on March 19th!... ]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:46:13 +0000 The "One Thousand Reasons" campaign just launched its second open call (Edition 2025) for taxonomy projects to describe deep-sea species.The ultimate goal of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is to generate a lasting legacy in deep ocean sciences: the description of at least 1,000 species new to science in areas beyond national jurisdictions by 2030. Expressions of interest can be submitted by 15 April 2025.... ]]> Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:34:26 +0000 In 2024, the VLIZ Philanthropy program awarded four grants to help WoRMS editors enhance the completeness of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). These efforts led to nearly 9,000 edits and additions to WoRMS and its sub-registers.... ]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:35:34 +0000 Once again taxonomists have continued to publish many wonderful new species throughout the last year. As we approach the end of 2024 it is time to think about nominations for The WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2024!... ]]> Thu, 05 Sep 2024 07:29:45 +0000 In follow-up of the 10th anniversary paper on WoRMS, the Data Management Team is proud to present a paper celebrating the 15th anniversary of WoRMS: "The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) through the looking glass: insights from the Data Management Team in light of the crystal anniversary of WoRMS".... ]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 07:54:17 +0000 Through the iSedge project, the Cyperaceae now have their dedicated online portal on the Aphia platform.... ]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:37:32 +0000 Accelerating the rate of species discovery relies on collaboration and the sharing of resources. Ocean Census are pleased to be offering two types of financial awards to contribute towards this mission.... ]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2024 11:04:46 +0000 Edaphobase and WoRMS started a collaboration on the exchange of taxonomic information on soil biodiversity.... ]]> Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:19:45 +0000 The Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment Initiative (FADA) is pleased to announce a renewed start and partnership with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), managed by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ).... ]]> Tue, 28 May 2024 15:15:59 +0000 What do artificial intelligence, marine life, taxonomy, and images have in common? The answer in one word is FathomNet, but the collaboration goes way beyond that. MBARI and WoRMS team up to enhance the use of AI in marine research.... ]]> Wed, 22 May 2024 15:12:49 +0000 From February 27-29 2024, editors and experts on Cnidaria convened in Ostend to enhance the data and capabilities of their portals and pages in WoRMS.... ]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:45:24 +0000 In a major stride towards understanding the mysteries of our oceans, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and supported by the European Union, is excited to announce the successful applicants for the groundbreaking “One Thousand Reasons” campaign.... ]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:25:08 +0000 As for previous years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has again released its annual list of the top-ten marine species described by researchers during the past year to coincide with World Taxonomist Appreciation Day on March 19th!... ]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2024 11:05:17 +0000 A Global Inventory of Sound Production Brings Us One Step Closer to Understanding Aquatic Ecosystems.... ]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2023 11:46:52 +0000 On 6th December 2023 a Festschrift in honour of the late Dr James K. (Jim) Lowry (1942–2021), renowned Amphipod taxonomist and WoRMS editor, was published by the Records of Australian Museum.... ]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:39:39 +0000 This year, Peter Schuchert has been honored with the WoRMS Achievement Award, and the WoRMS Early Career Researcher Award goes to Tristan Verhoeff.... ]]> Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:39:37 +0000 Once again taxonomists have continued to publish many wonderful new species throughout the last year. As we approach the end of 2023 it is time to think about nominations for The WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2023!... ]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:57:20 +0000 Over the weekend, the WoRMS Data Management Team received the sad news that Charles – Chuck - Messing has passed away.... ]]> Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:53:40 +0000 Collaboration with network of volunteer taxonomic specialists key to mission to accelerate the discovery of ocean life.... ]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:55:34 +0000 Back in 2019, the Data Management Team received the request to integrate the content of Corallosphere into WoRMS, and make sure it would also be part of the World List of Scleractinia, one of the WoRMS sub-registers. It took a while, but this integration is now completed!... ]]> Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:58:25 +0000 ISA and WoRMS release a species checklist for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative.... ]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:34:25 +0000 Roughly four weeks ago, a paper was published where one of our WoRMS editors dives into the metrics of new marine species discovery. The onset for this work was given five years ago, when Prof. Philippe Bouchet approached the WoRMS and MarineRegions Data Management Team with a not so everyday request for a scientific collaboration, involving WoRMS, and a deep dive into species descriptions.... ]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:47:46 +0000 From today onwards, you can find all Decapods on their own portal: welcome to DecaNet!... ]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:31:10 +0000 During 2022, the VLIZ Philanthropy program was able to issue three grants to support WoRMS editors in making WoRMS more complete. This resulted in about 18.000 edits and additions to WoRMS and its sub-registers.... ]]> Sat, 18 Mar 2023 23:39:45 +0000 As for previous years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has again released its annual list of the top-ten marine species described by researchers during the past year to coincide with World Taxonomist Appreciation Day on March 19th!... ]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:14:15 +0000 With this new R Shiny application, you can explore all trait information in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and its underlying Aphia database in a more advanced way, for instance by combining different traits and combining traits with standardized distributions.... ]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:51:38 +0000 Once again taxonomists have continued to publish many wonderful new species throughout the last year. As we approach the end of 2022 it is time to think about nominations for The WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2022!... ]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2022 14:09:23 +0000 AlgaeTraits provides standardised trait information for all European seaweeds, enabling the use of trait-based approaches over broad taxonomic, spatial and temporal scales. AlgaeTraits is a thematic subregister of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) which links to AlgaeBase, the most complete database on global algal taxonomic information.... ]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:27:14 +0000 You might have already heard… The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! And we do not want to let this birthday pass unnoticed…... ]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2022 12:31:19 +0000 This year, the WoRMS Achievement Award goes to Nicole Boury-Esnault, and the WoRMS Early Career Researchers Award was granted to Virág Venekey. Exceptionally, the WoRMS Award Committee has decided to also grant an Achievement Award posthumously to Jim Lowry.... ]]> Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:41:21 +0000 To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is releasing a one-of-a-kind t-shirt.... ]]> Sat, 24 Sep 2022 05:19:16 +0000 Flanders manages a large amount of marine data. To get an idea of the use and social value of this data, EWI (Science, Technology and Innovation in Flanders) launches a survey in cooperation with OECD.... ]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2022 06:58:32 +0000 In the week of 10-13 May 2022, ten Decapoda experts met in Ostend with the WoRMS Data Management team (DMT), to work towards establishing a Global Species List of Decapoda.... ]]>