2561 individual polychaetes from 266 sediment samples were collected in the Oceanic Shoals Australian Marine Park between 2009 and 2012. The inventory includes 368 species and 43 families, with new species, genera, and family records for Australia. This study provides baseline ecological data, contrasting patterns with larger sessile fauna to highlight the importance of small macrofauna in marine management.
Use Cases
- Analyze variation in polychaete species assemblages among different survey periods based on the four surveys mentioned.
- Model relationships between polychaete community structure and environmental variables or geomorphology based on the described ecological questions.
- Compare ecological patterns at different taxonomic resolutions (species vs. family) and functional groups (feeding, habitat, mobility) as outlined in the study.
- Establish biodiversity baselines for the northern Australian shelf to inform marine park management strategies as discussed.
Strengths
- Includes 2561 individual specimens from 266 samples, providing a substantial biological inventory.
- Covers 368 species and 43 families, including new taxonomic records for Australia.
- Data collected from four distinct marine surveys between 2009 and 2012, offering temporal context.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale modeling.
- Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific surveys in the Oceanic Shoals region.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au, associated with the cited research publication.
- Collection Method
- Sediment samples were elutriated (500 μm) to separate macrofauna during four marine surveys.
- Time Range
- 2009 to 2012
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-06-27 15:46:55.627117; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Oceanic Shoals Australian Marine Park, northern Australia