Document of bibliographic reference 351464

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Citizen scientists record significant range extensions for tropical sea slug species in subtropical eastern Australia

Abstract

The Sea Slug Census program in Australia engages with citizen scientists to record the diversity and distribution of sea slugs across multiple locations. The program has consistently recorded shifts in distribution patterns but a recent, nine-day census in subtropical eastern Australia recorded unprecedented range extensions of tropical species. Seven species (six chromodorids and one polycerid) were found further south of their previously known distribution with Hypselodoris bertschi being recorded for the first time in Australia. These observations suggested the recent transport of larvae via the East Australian Current with recruitment to coastal sites possibly promoted by a protracted period of strong onshore winds associated with the 2021/22 La Niña in the western Pacific. With the increasing frequency of poleward range extensions of marine taxa, citizen science programs such as the Sea Slug Census provide the opportunity to substantially increase monitoring efforts. Linking with iNaturalist strengthens the value of the observations through online peer review to confirm species identities as well as the incorporation of substantiated (Research Grade) records into international biodiversity databases such as GBIF.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000786245200001

Bibliographic citation

Smith, S.D.A.; Nimbs, M.J. (2022). Citizen scientists record significant range extensions for tropical sea slug species in subtropical eastern Australia. Diversity 14(4): 244. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d14040244

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true