Data from: Global distribution of siphonophores across horizontal and vertical oceanic gradients

This study gives a worldwide view of where siphonophores live in the ocean, using DNA data from samples collected during a global expedition. We looked at 77 samples from different depths and oceans. We found about a quarter of all known siphonophore species, some in places they hadn’t been seen before. In total, we identified 42 species. Some species were found to have wider distributions than previously thought. The study also looked at variations within species. Siphonophores with a certain feature (pneumatophores) were less common in shallower waters but more common in deeper waters. This is the first time that this kind of DNA data has been used to study these creatures, showing it’s a useful method for studying organisms that are often damaged when collected with nets.

This dataset supports the original research published under the same title: Global distribution of siphonophores across horizontal and vertical oceanic gradients.