Biodiversity
Data Platform
The Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform for marine “discovered” species. Our mission is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life.
Join the mission and add your newly discovered species here.
Phylum
Mollusca
Family
Cystiscidae
What is the BDP?
The Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform (BDP)
is for novel marine “discovered” species.
The Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform (BDP) is an open-access hub dedicated to ‘discovered’ new marine species. It streamlines the journey of novel species data from initial input and quality assurance to global public presentation, enabling rapid publication and broader utilisation.
As the platform evolves, it will feature advanced data visualization and seamless integration with major global data centers, including OBIS and WoRMS. All data is Darwin Core compatible. Publishing opportunities are available through our partner, Seckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA).
Discovered vs Described
Discovered
A species is classified as ‘discovered’ when experts determine—based on morphological evidence, ecological context, and/or, where appropriate, genetic data—that it represents a taxon new to science. Species discoveries are made available here on the BDP.
Described
A species is considered ‘described’ after a taxonomic description or diagnosis is published with a valid scientific name assigned and a holotype deposited in a recognised institutional collection.
Why do we need the BDP?
In an era of rapid biodiversity loss, we can no longer afford the 13.5-year average delay between a species being collected and formally described. The BDP is the world’s only centralised digital gateway for this “discovery gap,” ensuring that newly found species (“discovered species”) are more immediately visible. By providing a home for data that has historically been siloed, we transform “hidden” biodiversity into actionable data for science, society, and conservation—long before it reaches the printed page.
The BDP serves as the global anchor for the tens of thousands of species currently awaiting formal description in museums or individual collections. By making this data accessible to all, we maximize the massive financial investments of marine biodiversity expeditions and ensure that every specimen collected becomes a shared asset for the global community rather than a lost investment.
What data do you need to enter a discovered species?
Discovered
To be “discovered” you will need to add information about:This can be automatically assigned or expert-driven)
The most accurate possible – most often new genus or a new discovered species
Decimal degrees – there is a converter inside to help
In metres
At least one – we encourage more, including details of morphological features that set it apart from related species
Explaining why this species is new to science.
Publishing Species
We recognise that publication of species descriptions requires additional data that can be time-consuming to acquire or may require access to specialised technical equipment. Our publishing partner, The Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA – https://sosa.senckenberg.de/) support efficient, and quicker, publication of ‘discovered’ marine invertebrate species. Learn more here. The Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance’s “mega” publications of diverse, individual, taxonomic descriptions under a collective consortium of authors are an opportunity for relatively quick, taxonomy-focused publication, and potentially ‘higher than usual’ citation rates (SOSA et al., 2023).
If you are submitting marine invertebrates and would like support in publishing your species through SOSA, you can indicate this within the BDP new species submission process or by contacting SOSA directly.
Within the BDP, all text fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required to register a species as ‘discovered’. The information icons next to each text field provide guidance and additional details.
Please complete all six tabs before clicking the submit button – do not click Submit between tabs.
Publishing Partner
The Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA) is a global programme based at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Museum Frankfurt dedicated to accelerating marine species discovery and description. SOSA unites taxonomic, imaging and collections expertise, and provides core scientific leadership for the IUCN Red List assessments of marine invertebrates. Supported by major long-term institutional and philanthropic investment and modern research infrastructure, SOSA advances the scientific foundations needed to document and safeguard ocean biodiversity.
Be Part of the Discovery
Explore open-access biodiversity data or submit newly identified species to support collaborative marine research worldwide.
Join the census
The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
Follow our progress
