An authoritative classification and catalogue of marine names
WoRMS is continuously updating and strives to reflect current published scientific knowledge, without making
new taxonomic decisions. The Data Management Team welcomes any feedback and suggestions for improvement.
See more details and citation guidelines.
News
In memoriam: Michael H. Thurston (1937-2025)
Added on: 2026-01-05 17:12:21 by Vandepitte, Leen
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. ....png)
Call for nominations for the WoRMS Top-Ten Marine Species of 2025
Added on: 2025-12-11 09:44:31 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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! ...
A Taxon-Match tool for AlgaeBase, based on the WoRMS Taxon Match
Added on: 2025-12-10 08:55:29 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
A taxon-match tool built on AlgaeBase is now available through the LifeWatch eLab, with the same functionalities as the WoRMS taxon-match tool. ...
Tribute to Denise Bellan-Santini (1937-2025)
Added on: 2025-12-03 11:31:08 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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. ...
Decoding the naming of decapods
Added on: 2025-11-19 10:51:53 by Vandepitte, Leen
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. ...
Edaphobase adopts Nemys as taxonomic backbone for nematodes
Added on: 2025-10-20 10:31:57 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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. ...
Cleanup of the feedingtype attribute
Added on: 2025-08-28 11:58:09 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
The feedingtype attribute has been split into three different attributes: (1) Ecological interactions, (2) Trophic level, and (3) Feeding method. ...
Tackling Temporary Names in WoRMS: Interim Solutions for the Taxonomic Impediment
Added on: 2025-08-07 08:01:57 by Vandepitte, Leen
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. ...
Rotifer World Catalog now available through the Aphia platform
Added on: 2025-08-04 16:04:28 by Goharimanesh, Mona
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. ...
Introducing the World List of Myxozoa
Added on: 2025-07-31 16:07:28 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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). ...
NELOS divers use WoRMS in digital dive log: a step toward citizen science
Added on: 2025-07-23 11:22:55 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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. ...
Awardees for the 2025 WoRMS Achievement & Early Career Researcher Award known
Added on: 2025-06-17 11:59:57 by Goharimanesh, Mona
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. ...
Introducing the World List of Octocorallia, a companion to the World Lists of Actiniaria and Scleractinia
Added on: 2025-06-02 10:35:28 by Vandepitte, Leen
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). ...
Giving Wim Decock – WoRMS DMT member - a rousing send-off: well-deserved retirement awaits!
Added on: 2025-05-27 12:27:26 by Vandepitte, Leen
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-servin ...
Applications for the Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards 2025 are open
Added on: 2025-04-01 16:29:29 by Vandepitte, Leen
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. ...
IMARPE presents the Peruvian Register of Marine Species platform
Added on: 2025-03-26 17:01:58 by Vandepitte, Leen
This verified database groups the marine species recorded from Peru. ...
WoRMS press release: Ten remarkable new marine species from 2024
Added on: 2025-03-19 00:40:18 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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! ...
Call for taxonomy projects to describe deep-sea species - One Thousand Reasons Edition 2025
Added on: 2025-03-18 16:53:31 by Vandepitte, Leen
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. ...
WoRMS Philanthropy Grants 2024
Added on: 2025-02-04 17:35:48 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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. ...
Call for nominations for the WoRMS Top-Ten Marine Species of 2024
Added on: 2024-12-17 15:52:14 by Dekeyzer, Stefanie
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! ...[Add]
Currently in WoRMS
Accepted marine species
249 447 (98% checked)
Marine species names, including synonyms
520 371
Species with image
53 933 (81% checked)
