Citizens Of The Sea report: New Zealand

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The CitSea Interactive Reports allow you to explore offshore biodiversity results from environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. At the top of each site report, headline indicators summarise what was detected, including the number of kingdoms, ASVs (amplicon sequence variants), families, and species.

Use the navigation tabs to switch between different views:

Sampling Map shows where samples were collected;

Species Gallery provides a visual look at taxa detected;

Taxa Table lists results in a searchable format;

Diversity tab display richness and diversity indices;

AI-based Summary highlights key findings;

NIS and HABs tab flags non-indigenous species and species that have the potential to form harmful algal blooms; and

Marine Vertebrates tab highlights locations where marine vertebrates were detected.

Interactive maps let you zoom in on specific sites, and hovering over a marker reveals metadata for that location. Sample ID numbers can be input into the Taxa Table to explore taxa detected at specific locations. Each dataset is linked with metadata and reference databases to ensure transparency and scientific value.

Note on Contamination and Filtering:

Because eDNA is highly sensitive, sequences from terrestrial organisms (e.g., humans, land mammals, or laboratory contaminants) can sometimes appear in the results. Since CitSea samples are collected exclusively from seawater, any detections that were found in the negative controls, and those of clearly non-marine taxa have been carefully documented and then filtered out of the dataset before results are displayed. This ensures that the dashboard reflects only genuine marine biodiversity signals while maintaining transparency about data quality.

Glossary

ASV (Amplicon Sequence Variant)

An ASV is a unique DNA sequence identified from high-throughput sequencing of environmental samples. ASVs provide fine-scale resolution of biodiversity, capturing exact genetic variants rather than grouped clusters. The total number of ASVs reflects overall genetic diversity detected.

Kingdoms

The highest level of biological classification (e.g., animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, archaea). Detecting multiple kingdoms shows the broad range of life captured in eDNA samples.

Families

A mid-level taxonomic category used to group related organisms (e.g., whales belong to the family Balaenopteridae). Counting families detected helps show how many different evolutionary lineages were present in the samples.

Species

The basic unit of biological classification. Species detection indicates specific organisms that can be identified from eDNA, though not all ASVs can be confidently resolved to species level.

Taxa

A general term for groups of organisms classified together at any rank in the biological hierarchy, such as species, families, or kingdoms. In the CitSea dashboard, “taxa” refers broadly to the different biological groups detected in eDNA samples.

HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms)

Certain algae can grow rapidly under favourable conditions, producing toxins or depleting oxygen in the water. These blooms can threaten marine ecosystems, fisheries, and human health. The dashboard highlights eDNA detections of ASVs that were taxonomically assigned to species known to cause HABs, reported in the IOC-UNESCO Taxonomic Reference List of Harmful Micro Algae (https://www.marinespecies.org/hab/).

NIS (Non-Indigenous Species)

Species that occur outside their natural range, often introduced by shipping, aquaculture, or other human activity. Some NIS can become invasive, outcompeting local species and disrupting ecosystems. The dashboard flags detections of known or potential NIS.

Kingdoms detected

7

Number of ASVs

15950

Families detected

370

Species detected

464

Map showing sampling locations as part of the 2024 Pacific Island Cruising Rally. Recreational sailors were equipped and trained to collect daily eDNA samples (in triplicate) during their offshore passages.

Map Tiles via Esri — National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC.

We display every species we detected here, sorted by IUCN Red List status. The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are intended to be an easily and widely understood system for classifying species at high risk of global extinction. DD: Data deficient. LC: Least Concern. VU: Vulnerable. EN: Endangered. CR: Critically endangered.

Click on the image to open the relevant Atlas of Living Australia page.

From these samples we detected no species listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, one as Endangered, no as Vulnerable, no as Near Threatened, no as Data Deficient, seven as Least Concern, and 367 species that have not yet been assessed by the IUCN.

IUCN Endangered species

Balaenoptera borealis
Figure 1: Endangered species

IUCN Least Concern species

Ceratoscopelus warmingii

Nemichthys scolopaceus

Retropinna retropinna

Stenella coeruleoalba

Tursiops truncatus
Figure 2: Least Concern species

Not pictured: Diaphus fragilis, Encrasicholina punctifer.

Species not assessed by IUCN

Aglaura hemistoma

Bassia bassensis

Bythotrephes cederstroemi

Calanus glacialis

Calocalanus pavo

Cestum veneris

Colobonema sericeum

Creseis clava

Creseis virgula

Doliolum denticulatum

Liriope tetraphylla

Littorina littorea

Obelia geniculata

Oikopleura dioica

Perna canaliculus

Prostheceraeus vittatus

Protatlanta souleyeti

Salpa fusiformis

Sapphirina darwinii

Solmundella bitentaculata

Temora turbinata

Thysanoessa raschii
Figure 3: Not Assessed species

Not pictured: Alteromonas, Oithona similis, Vibrio, Tenacibaculum aiptasiae, Pleuromamma gracilis, Cosmocalanus darwinii, Steenstrupiella steenstrupii, Vibrio sagamiensis, Pseudoalteromonas, Mecynocera clausi, Pleuromamma scutullata, Umbilicosphaera sibogae, Prochlorococcus MIT9313 marinus, Oikopleura fusiformis, Euphausia vallentini, Alcanivorax venustensis, Clausocalanus ingens, Lentisphaera, Zoothamnium pelagicum, Mesorhizobium, Spirotontonia grandis, Vibrio caribbeanicus, Mesonia mobilis, Thalia longicauda, Alcanivorax borkumensis, Marinobacter, Actinomyces, Micrococcus, Sinistrostrombidium cupiformum, Idiomarina, Hortaea werneckii, Calocalanus plumulosus, Chromohalobacter, Paracalanus nanus, Bradyrhizobium, Pontella fera, Rhabdonella poculum, Miracia efferata, Acartia negligens, Amphorellopsis quinquealata, Calocalanus curtus, Phaeocystis globosa, Paracalanus tropicus, Clausocalanus pergens, Clausocalanus arcuicornis, Bathycoccus prasinos, Oikopleura albicans, Chloropicon sieburthii, Photobacterium, Gephyrocapsa parvula, Sphaeronectes koellikeri, Halioglobus pacificus, Kocuria, Heliconoides inflatus, Clausocalanus paululus, Photobacterium angustum, Pycnococcus provasolii, Creseis conica, Shimia, Clausocalanus furcatus, Chloroparvula pacifica, Gilvibacter sediminis, Pseudoalteromonas phenolica, Velamen paralellum, Chloropicon mariensis, Euchaeta marina, Ryocalanus squamatus, Staphylococcus, Ctenocalanus vanus, Vampyrophrya pelagica, Sphingomonas, Corynebacterium, Doliolum nationalis, Turritopsis lata, Syracosphaera pulchra, Halomonas, Planktotalea frisia, Phaeocystis cordata, Leuconostoc, Erwinia, Mesodinium rubrum, Sphingobium, Brevibacterium, Pterosperma cristatum, Erwinia piriflorinigrans, Coccolithus braarudii, Erwinia rhapontici, Pseudomonas, Pseudo-nitzschia abrensis, Pseudo-nitzschia cuspidata, Strombidium caudispina, Eutintinnus perminutus, Halomonas taeanensis, Prymnesium polylepis, Pseudomonas lurida, Maricaulis, Chaetoceros rostratus, Marinobacterium stanieri, Chaetoceros peruvianus, Alteromonas macleodii, Strombidium cf. basimorphum, Geryonia proboscidalis, Brachybacterium, Vibrio azureus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Abylopsis eschscholtzii, Calocalanus tenuis, Blastomonas, Atelocyanobacterium (UCYN-A) thalassa, Clausocalanus parapergens, Pleuromamma piseki, Rathkea octopunctata, Brevundimonas, Sphingomonas melonis, Eutintinnus apertus, Parvocalanus crassirostris, Sapphirina scarlata, Caulobacter, Clausocalanus jobei, Paraplanocera oligoglena, Styliola subula, Eucalanus pseudattenuatus, Tachidius triangularis, Oncaea scottodicarloi, Paeniclostridium, Sphingomonas panni, Acrocalanus gracilis, Photobacterium damselae, Neisseria, Photobacterium leiognathi, Calocalanus styliremis, Pneumoderma atlantica, Labrenzia alexandrii, Rothia amarae, Raoultella, Streptococcus, Gordonia, Cutibacterium, Peracle reticulata, Forskalia tholoides, Dokdonia, Salpingacantha undata, Climacocylis scalaroides, Ferosagitta robusta, Pleuromamma abdominalis, Paracalanus indicus, Lucicutia flavicornis, Pontellina plumata, Labrenzia marina, Azospira oryzae, Dermacoccus, Protocystis xiphodon, Chryseobacterium hominis, Acinetobacter, Eutintinnus medius, Tenacibaculum, Lactococcus, Calocalanus minutus, Crocosphaera watsonii, Trichodesmium IMS101 erythraeum, Fabibacter misakiensis, Metarhizium brunneum, Rhodococcus aerolatus, Paracalanus aff. denudatus PA0053.MED, Oncaea waldemari, Alteromonas genovensis, Haloptilus longicornis, Klenkia terrae, Corynebacterium accolens, Clausocalanus farrani, Enhydrobacter aerosaccus, Eutintinnus fraknoi, Triconia conifera, Marinobacter manganoxydans, Trichodesmium IMS101 thiebautii, Psychrobacter celer, Hyalocylis striata, Lentilitoribacter donghaensis, Richelia HH01 intracellularis, Turicella otitidis, Undinula vulgaris, Emiliania huxleyi, Halomonas aquamarina, Nanozoanthus harenaceus, Halomonas meridiana, Vibrio harveyi, Psychrobacter piscatorii, Dietzia, Mesocalanus tenuicornis, Scyphosphaera apsteinii, Novosphingobium humi, Firoloida desmarestia, Fangia hongkongensis, Ruegeria atlantica, Thalassotalea coralli, Candacia simplex, Candacia truncata, Idiomarina loihiensis, Henriciella marina, Gephyrocapsa oceanica, Tenacibaculum litopenaei, Copilia mirabilis, Trichodesmium IMS101 havanum, Farranula gibbula, Romboutsia sedimentorum, Tima bairdii, Chloropicon primus, Oncaea mediterranea, Clausocalanus mastigophorus, Xystonella longicauda, Pseudoalteromonas marina, Gemella, Acrocalanus monachus, Macrosetella gracilis, Candacia ethiopica, Abiotrophia defectiva, Hubrechtella juliae, Nanomia bijuga, Shewanella, Aerococcus, Achromobacter, Polaribacter dokdonensis, Alteromonas hispanica, Dokdonia genika, Pseudoalteromonas citrea, Aidanosagitta regularis, Vibrio fortis, Vibrio chagasii, Vibrio pomeroyi, Dolosigranulum pigrum, Thalassospira, Prasinoderma singulare, Pantoea, Paracoccus, Leucothea multicornis, Acinetobacter guillouiae, Heterorhabdus papilliger, Candacia bispinosa, Temora discaudata, Shewanella schlegeliana, Psychrobacter, Shimia marina, Alcanivorax marinus, Chaetoceros mannaii, Agrobacterium, Pseudochrobactrum kiredjianiae, Kaistia, Chaetoceros diadema, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, Aliivibrio, Cupriavidus, Chloropicon roscoffensis, Pseudoalteromonas denitrificans, Nyctiphanes australis, Ascidia ahodori, Canuella perplexa, Bestiolina similis, Chaetoceros elegans, Pinctada nigra, Centropages furcatus, Sphingopyxis panaciterrae, Pectinaria granulata, Clostridium sensu stricto 11, Clytia noliformis, Sphingobacterium faecium, Janthinobacterium lividum, Hyalophysa lwoffi, Penicillium rubens, Clytia linearis, Sphingobium yanoikuyae, Paracalanus denudatus, Trichodesmium IMS101 contortum, Carnobacterium, Micromonas pusilla, Helgicirrha malayensis, Prymnesium aff. polylepis, Trochilia petrani, Roseomonas, Oikopleura parva, Martelella endophytica, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Alteromonas australica, Erythrobacter, Chaetoceros decipiens, Stenosemella pacifica, Stenotrophomonas, Roseateles depolymerans, Novosphingobium, Cupriavidus metallidurans, Sulfitobacter pontiacus, Calanoides carinatus, Psychrobacter namhaensis, Brachybacterium tyrofermentans, Salinicola socius, Salinicola, Pseudoclavibacter, Brevibacterium yomogidense, Janthinobacterium, Salinisphaera japonica, Citricoccus, Sphingobacterium, Halomonas sulfidaeris, Tepidicella xavieri, Klebsiella, Marinococcus, Oikopleura gracilis, Rothia mucilaginosa, Haemophilus, Curtobacterium, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus, Hypocoma acinetarum, Muricauda, Scolecithrix danae, Idiomarina baltica, Aquimarina litoralis, Providencia rettgeri, Oithona atlantica, Centropages violaceus, Pantachogon haeckeli, Thalassotalea eurytherma, Granulicatella, Pelagibius litoralis, Streptococcus salivarius, Marinomonas atlantica, Forskalia asymmetrica, Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola, Thalassolituus oleivorans, Marinomonas gallaica, Disco hartmanni, Acrocalanus longicornis, Vibrio splendidus, Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora, Cobetia, Helicosphaera carteri, Ptychopera plebeia, Lensia campanella, Labidocera detruncata, Aureitalea marina, Shewanella olleyana, Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii, Vibrio gigantis, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata, Vibrio diabolicus, Pseudomonas pachastrellae, Salinicola zeshunii.

Images have been sourced from Wikimedia Commons.

We compare pieces of DNA sampled from the environment with a reference database. This table lists every species we detected, along with how closely the DNA we found matches known species in the reference database. For each species we list the IUCN Red List status. The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are intended to be an easily and widely understood system for classifying species at high risk of global extinction. DD: Data deficient. LC: Least Concern. VU: Vulnerable. EN: Endangered. CR: Critically endangered.

Table of detected taxa

Explore the types of organisms found in these samples. This interactive chart (Krona plot) lets you see which groups were most common — from broad categories like bacteria and animalia down to families and species of fishes. Click on individual segments to zoom in. :::

Krona Plot

Below are different diversity metrices plotted for all samples taken within this area. The first plot shows the relative abundance of different groups of organisms (classified at the class taxonomic level). The middle plot presents three commonly used measures of alpha diversity. These are different ways of describing how many unique ASVs were found in each sample. The bottom plot shows how similar or different samples are from one another. Each point represents a sample, and points there are close together have very similar species. For reference, the points are coloured based on the latitude where each sample was collected.

We asked an AI (Claude’s Anthropic 3.7) which species it thinks are the most interesting detected in this site, and why they are interesting. We reproduce the answer below. We ask Claude only for validated species, i.e., species that are known to occur in the area.

Alteromonas species are important marine bacteria that play crucial roles in ocean nutrient cycling and have potential biotechnological applications. These bacteria are known for producing enzymes that break down complex organic matter in seawater, helping to recycle carbon and other nutrients throughout marine ecosystems. Some species also produce antimicrobial compounds that could be useful in developing new antibiotics or preservatives.

Vibrio species are marine bacteria of significant concern to human health and aquaculture industries. Several species can cause serious foodborne illnesses in humans, particularly from consuming contaminated seafood, leading to symptoms ranging from gastroenteritis to life-threatening infections. These bacteria also cause devastating diseases in farmed fish, shrimp, and shellfish, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses annually to the global aquaculture industry.

Prochlorococcus marinus is arguably the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth and plays a fundamental role in global climate regulation. This tiny marine bacterium produces approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen through photosynthesis and removes significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Despite being invisible to the naked eye, these organisms are so numerous that their collective impact on global carbon and oxygen cycles is comparable to all terrestrial rainforests combined.

Retropinna retropinna, commonly known as the Australian smelt, is an important native freshwater fish species that serves as both a recreational fishing target and an indicator of ecosystem health. These small, silvery fish are popular among anglers and play important ecological roles in river and lake food webs. Their populations can indicate the health of freshwater environments, as they are sensitive to pollution and habitat degradation.

Stenella coeruleoalba, the striped dolphin, is a highly intelligent marine mammal that captures public fascination while serving as an important indicator of ocean health. These acrobatic dolphins are known for their distinctive blue-white striped patterns and spectacular leaping abilities. As top predators, they help maintain marine ecosystem balance, and their health reflects the condition of ocean environments, making them valuable for monitoring pollution levels and climate change impacts.

Diaphus fragilis is a lanternfish species that plays a crucial role in ocean food webs and global carbon cycling through one of nature’s largest daily migrations. These small, bioluminescent fish travel from deep waters to surface waters each night to feed, then return to the depths during daylight hours. This massive vertical migration, involving billions of individuals, helps transport carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean, contributing significantly to global climate regulation.

Littorina littorea, the common periwinkle, is an economically important edible sea snail that also serves as a model organism for studying climate change adaptation. These hardy snails are harvested commercially in many coastal regions and are considered a delicacy in various cuisines. Their ability to survive in harsh intertidal environments makes them valuable for understanding how marine species might adapt to changing ocean conditions.

Balaenoptera borealis, the sei whale, is one of the world’s fastest whale species and an important component of marine ecosystems. These magnificent mammals can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour and undertake long-distance migrations across ocean basins. As filter feeders consuming massive quantities of small fish and plankton, they help maintain marine ecosystem balance and their recovery from near-extinction due to whaling represents a conservation success story.

Pseudomonas species are versatile bacteria with both beneficial and harmful impacts on human activities. While some species can cause infections in humans and spoilage in food products, others are valuable allies in bioremediation, helping to clean up oil spills and other environmental contaminants. These bacteria are also important in agriculture, where certain species can protect plants from diseases while others may cause crop damage.

Emiliania huxleyi is a microscopic marine alga that significantly influences global climate patterns through its unique calcium carbonate shell production. When these organisms bloom in vast numbers, they can be seen from space as milky-white patches in the ocean. Their shells contribute to cloud formation, which affects global weather patterns, and they play important roles in ocean chemistry and the global carbon cycle, making them crucial for understanding climate change.

Tursiops truncatus, the bottlenose dolphin, is perhaps the most recognizable and beloved marine mammal, famous for its intelligence, social complexity, and interactions with humans. These dolphins demonstrate remarkable problem-solving abilities, use tools, and have complex social structures that rival those of great apes. They serve as ambassadors for marine conservation and their cognitive abilities continue to provide insights into animal intelligence and consciousness.

Trichodesmium erythraeum is a marine cyanobacterium that plays a vital role in ocean productivity by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that other marine organisms can use. These organisms form large, visible colonies that can create reddish patches on the ocean surface, sometimes called “sea sawdust.” Their nitrogen fixation supports entire marine food webs in nutrient-poor tropical oceans, making them fundamental to ocean productivity and global nutrient cycles.

Potential HAB or NIS: Detections of species that are non-indigenous to the southwest Pacific and species from taxa that have the potential to form Harmful Algal Blooms. Reference lists for each of these groups are continuously evolving. Please note that detection of these species does not necessarily indicate an active threat but rather, highlights trends that may be of interest to explore further. Please Note: No potential NIS species were detected in this dataset

Dinoflagellates and the mechanism

Alexandrium saxitoxins – PSP

Karenia brevetoxins – NSP

Dinophysis okadaic acid – DSP

Gambierdiscus ciguatoxins – CFP

Prorocentrum DSP toxins, including okadaic acid

Ostreopsis palytoxins

Ceratium can cause hypoxia, but usually not toxic Lingulodinium may produce yessotoxins

Gymnodinium some species produce brevetoxins or ichthyotoxins

Diatoms and the mechanism

Pseudo-nitzschia domoic acid – ASP

Raphidophytes and the mechanism

Heterosigma fish kills – not via toxins but through gill damage

Chattonella fish-killing blooms, possible ROS involvement

Cyanobacteria and the mechanism

Trichodesmium may contribute to HABs through oxygen depletion or toxin production in some contexts

Kappaphycus alvarezii

Codium arenicola

Codium taylori

Ulva ohnoi

Olstreopsis ovata

Didemnum perlucidum

Amathia distans

Amathia verticillata

Bugula neritina

Schizoporella errata

Watersipora subtorquata

Amphibalanus amphitrite

Penaeus indicus

Penaeus merguiensis

Panaeus monodon

Panaeus stylirostris

Panaeus vannamei

Godiva quadricolor

Magallana belcheri

Crassostrea virginica

Magallana bilineata

Magallana gigas

Mytilopsis sallei

Ostrea edulis

Perna viridis

Pinctada imbricata

Pinctada maxima

Pinctada margaritifera

Rochia nilotica

Ruditapes philippinarum

Saccostrea echinata

Saccostrea glomerata

Turbo marmoratus

Sabellastarte spectabilis

Mycale (Zygomycale) parishii

Mugil cephalus

Salmo trutta

Eriocheir sinensis

Rhithropanopeus harrisii

Hemigrapsus sanguineus

Charybdis japonica

Mytilopsis sallei

Perna perna

Arcuatula senhousia

Mytella strigata

Batis maritima

Detections of marine vertebrates including any fish, marine mammals, marine reptiles, and marine birds detected. Hover over each sampling location to reveal which taxa was detected at that location.