[BlueTrend Classroom] Marine Citizen Science Database: 10 Simple Biological Classification Methods

Thank you all for joining the Marine Citizen Science Database project. After reviewing the submissions, we found that there are over 7,000 species of marine life commonly found in Taiwan. We've been thinking about how to develop a simple biological classification system that strikes a balance between scientific rigor and accessibility for the general public. Below, we've divided photos into 10 categories, each paired with commonly encountered organisms in that group, to make classification easier. Of course, if you find a photo genuinely difficult to categorize, feel free to make a rough guess first — our team will help sort it out later!

Classification Category 1: Terrain & Habitat

Focus: Underwater environments reflect the ecological character of a given area. A complete ecosystem should feature diverse and healthy species distribution. That's why your wide-angle shots are so important. Fragile ecosystems are very difficult to restore once damaged, making every photo a photographer takes invaluable. We also hope to collect ecologically candid records such as coral bleaching, underwater fishing nets, and floating marine debris.

Classification Category 2: Algae & Plants

Focus: Algae includes the various species commonly found along shorelines and in intertidal zones, such as sargassum, hair algae, and Codium. In northern Taiwan, algal ecology changes significantly due to the northeast monsoon and heavy summer rainfall, so timing your surveys to the right season is essential. Algae tend to grow in wet environments, so remember to wear non-slip shoes with a loofah-textured sole when exploring. Also, many creatures hide among algae — keep an eye out for little surprises when you're shooting!

Classification Category 3: Cnidarians (Coral & Others)

Focus: The hard coral and soft coral we commonly see are both classified as cnidarians. jellyfish, sea anemones, and hydroids are also included in this group — so please stop putting jellyfish under fish or mollusks!

Classification Category 4: Other Invertebrates

Focus: Photos that don't fit into the other 9 categories are likely to end up here. Common organisms in this group include comb jellyfish (ctenophores), acoelomorphs, ribbon worms (nemerteans), sipunculans, and annelids.

Classification Category 5: Mollusks

Focus: Many people ask, "Where is the nudibranch category?" or "Cuttlefish and squid are cephalopods — why aren't they listed separately?" In fact, all of these creatures fall under the mollusks category. The nudibranch we commonly see belongs to the class Gastropoda within Mollusca; octopus and cuttlefish belong to the class Cephalopoda; and bivalves such as giant clams are also classified as mollusks. So be careful not to miscategorize them!

Classification Category 6: Crustaceans

Focus: Arthropods include the commonly seen shrimp, crab, and hermit crabs, as well as barnacles attached to reef rock and goose barnacles found on drifting debris. Some underwater creatures share symbiotic relationships — certain tiny arthropods live in symbiosis with sea urchins, sea anemones, or fish. We'd love for photographers to help document these special symbiotic behaviors.

Classification Category 7: Echinoderms

Focus: Commonly seen echinoderms include feather stars (crinoids), sea stars, brittle stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.

Classification Category 8: Fish

Focus: Fish are the most frequently encountered creatures during a dive, but because there are so many species, identification relies heavily on distinguishing features. For tips on what to focus on when photographing different types of fish, check out the detailed guides on 海洋博物誌. Commonly seen fish include sharks, Stingray, sardines, eel, lizardfish, and gobies.

Classification Category 9: Marine Reptiles

Focus: The marine reptiles most commonly encountered in Taiwan are sea turtles and sea snakes. When photographing sea turtles, pay special attention to differences in their physical features — you might be lucky enough to spot a rare turtle species beyond the Green Sea Turtle!

Classification Category 10: Marine Mammals

Focus: Marine mammals should need no introduction — they're the star species: whales, dolphins, and more.

Now that you've read through the classification guide, are you eager to start sharing your treasure trove of photos? Come join us as a Marine Citizen Scientist today!

Start uploading your photos!

Further Reading:

• Keelung Marine Citizen Scientists — What's Covered in the 2023 Advanced Underwater Training Course?

• A Marine Citizen Scientist's First Lesson: How to Take Identifiable Underwater Species Photos

• Long-Spine sea urchin | Marine Habitat & Species Micro-Education Series Part 6 ft. Ocean Conservation Administration & Keelung City Government

• Tree Hydroid | Marine Habitat & Species Micro-Education Series Part 7 ft. Ocean Conservation Administration & Keelung City Government

• Sandy Bottom | Marine Habitat & Species Micro-Education Series Part 8 ft. Ocean Conservation Administration & Keelung City Government

• National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium — Marine Ecosystems