Taxonomic and Genetic Diversity of Decapods in Northeast Pacific, Canadian Arctic and Nort

Northeast Pacific, Canadian Arctic, and Northwest Atlantic ocean subregions were sampled in 2022 for an exploratory project on decapod diversity. The dataset includes 391 decapod species occurrences, with DNA extracted and COI gene sequences generated for a subset of 87 specimens. The work was undertaken by the Arctic Working Group under the Canada-U.S. Fisheries and Climate Collaboration between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.

Use Cases

• Taxonomic validation and refinement of decapod species based on specimen photographs and genetic sequences.
• Analysis of decapod biodiversity and distribution across three distinct ocean subregions and four marine regions.
• Genetic barcoding and phylogenetic studies using the COI gene sequences from 87 specimens.
• Assessing the impacts of broad-scale climate change on marine biodiversity by pooling Canadian and U.S. survey data.

Strengths

• Includes 391 decapod species occurrence records from a targeted 2022 sampling effort.
• Provides genetic data (COI gene sequences) for a validated subset of 87 specimens.
• Specimens were collected from 10 distinct research programs, suggesting a multi-source sampling approach.
• Samples were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and identifications were validated in the lab.

Limitations

• Row count for the primary occurrence data is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific 2022 surveys and selected ocean subregions.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada

Collection Method

Specimens collected from 10 research programs using various sampling gears (e.g., benthic beam trawl, otter trawl, dredges), identified, photographed, and genetically sequenced (COI gene via Sanger method).

Time Range

2022

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-21 11:30:50.197336; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Northeast Pacific (Bering Sea), Canadian Arctic (Beaufort Sea, Amundsen Gulf, Baffin Bay, Davis Strait), Northwest Atlantic (Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence)