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Mesopelagic Mesozooplankton and Micronekton Database
Yulia Egorova1, Evgeny A Pakhomov2,3, Ian McIvor4
1Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2207 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. egorova.uu@gmail.com.
Scientific Data
|July 24, 2025
Summary
The Mesopelagic Mesozooplankton and Micronekton Database (MMMD) offers a comprehensive resource on deep-sea life. It standardizes data from numerous sources to aid mesopelagic ecosystem research.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Oceanography
- Ecology
Background:
- Mesopelagic ecosystems harbor diverse life crucial for ocean health.
- Understanding mesopelagic species distribution and density is vital for macro-ecological research.
- Existing data were fragmented, hindering comprehensive analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a standardized, quantitative database of mesopelagic mesozooplankton and micronekton.
- To compile data from diverse sources spanning over a century.
- To facilitate macro-ecological research on mesopelagic ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Compiled data from 258 published and unpublished sources (1880-2016).
- Standardized 266,611 entries for sampling methods, mesh sizes, and taxonomy.
- Included data on species distribution, density, temporal, spatial, and diel variations.
Main Results:
- Established the Mesopelagic Mesozooplankton and Micronekton Database (MMMD).
- The database covers a broad temporal and spatial range with diel changes.
- Standardization addressed inconsistencies, improving data utility.
Conclusions:
- The MMMD is a valuable, updatable resource for mesopelagic macro-ecological research.
- It offers unique contributions compared to existing databases.
- Further research can address data gaps and enhance understanding of these deep-sea ecosystems.
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