Oceanic Shoals / Wessel Island sponge biodiversity data
Between 2009-2012, Geoscience Australia conducted three surveys to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and the Timor Sea on the R.V. Solander, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Science and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. The study areas overlapped the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve and the carbonate banks and terraces within it. The surveys were conducted as part of the Australian Government's Energy Security Program (2007-2011) and the National Environment Research Program (2011-2015). On the surveys, a benthic sled was deployed to collect biological samples from the seafloor. Samples were sorted onboard according to phylum, photographed and then sent to taxonomists for species-level identifications. This dataset provides a list of all identified sponge species.
The associated image catalogue of collected sponges can be accessed here: https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/1216e0f4-099c-49f6-96f7-ed3eadc0cd15
Data and resources
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List of all sponge species collected from surveys SOL4934, SOL5117, SOL5650 and SS2012t07CSV Open
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Download data in a range of formats via OGC WFS.HTML Open
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MAP - sponge collection sitesHTML Open
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Przeslawski R, Alvarez B, Kool J, Bridge T, Caley MJ, Nichol S (2015) Implications of Sponge Biodiversity Patterns for the Management of a Marine Reserve in…HTML Open
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Przeslawski, R., Alvarez, B., Battershill, C. et al. Sponge biodiversity and ecology of the Van Diemen Rise and eastern Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, northern…HTML Open
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HTML Open
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License GraphicPNG Open
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HTML Open
Additional information
| Date (creation) | 2019-05-09 |
|---|---|
| Status | completed |
| Update frequency | asNeeded |
| Metadata language | en |
| License | Data was sourced from the NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub – the Marine Biodiversity Hub is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Research Program (NERP), administered by the Department of the Environment (DOE). |
| Source metadata | ISO 19115 XML |
| Last updated | 2026-11-05 |
| Created | 2026-11-05 |
| API | package_show |