A new database, Marine Organizational Body Size (MOBS), has been launched to collect data on marine animal species, covering over 85,000 species and counting. The open-access resource enables researchers to explore different questions about ocean biodiversity and ecosystems. With a goal of achieving 75% coverage, MOBS currently spans 40% of all described marine animal species.
Marine ecologist Craig McClain, lead creator of MOBS, believes the database fills a long-standing gap in understanding ocean life. “We know about evolution and ecology for mammals and birds, but we lack comprehensive data on marine groups, especially invertebrates,” he said. The MOBS project is developing a “library of life” that paves the way for research on macroecology and macroevolution.
According to McClain, body size is a critical trait related to how species move, eat, survive, and evolve. This universal principle can help researchers understand the diversity of marine animals, including jellyfish and other invertebrates. The MOBS database provides a platform for scientists to uncover new insights into the complex relationships between marine life and their ecosystems.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/06/new-body-size-database-for-marine-animals-is-a-library-of-life