PS 26-120 - The pelagic species trait database, an open data resource to promote trait-based fisheries research

Abstract: Trait-based frameworks are increasingly useful for predicting how ecological communities respond to ongoing global change. As species range shifts result in encounters between new predator and prey pairs, identifying prey ‘guilds’, based on a suite of shared traits, can simplify complex species interactions and assist with predicting food web dynamics. To promote advances in trait-based research in open-ocean systems, we present the Pelagic Species Trait Database, a comprehensive resource synthesizing functional traits of many pelagic fish and invertebrate species in a single, open-source repository. We used literature sources, online resources, and species images to collate traits for 521 pelagic species describing 1) habitat use and behavior, 2) morphology and morphometrics, 3) nutritional quality, and 4) population status information. Species in the database are primarily from the California Current system and broader NE Pacific Ocean, but also includes globally important pelagic species known to be consumed by top ocean predators from other ocean basins. The aim of this database is to promote the use of trait-based approaches in marine ecosystems and for predator populations worldwide.