A dataset on the morphological, life-history and ecological traits of cetaceans worldwide

Aims: There are 94 cetacean species worldwide, which represent one of the most enigmatic and threatened groups among mammals. Throughout their transition from land to water, cetaceans have evolved numerous morphological, life history, and ecological traits that enhance their adaptability to aquatic environments. However, a comprehensive global database of cetacean ecological characteristics has yet to be established.Method: Our study systematically reviews books, literature, and data resources to collect and organize cetacean characteristic data, including 15 morphological traits, 12 life-history traits, and 11 ecological traits. Based on the collected data, we quantified the trait completeness for each species and employed phylogenetic linear regression model to investigate the factors influencing the ratio of data completeness.Results: The completeness of the morphological traits ranges from 73% to 100%, life history traits from 29% to 100%, and ecological traits from 30% to 100%. The regression analyses showed that species described earlier and inhabiting nearshore habitats tend to exhibit higher data completeness.Conclusion: This dataset provides essential foundational information for research in cetacean ecology, conservation biology, and evolutionary biology. It also serves as a significant platform for data sharing and communication in regional and global cetacean conservation efforts.

目标：全球现有鲸类（cetacean）94种，是哺乳动物中最具神秘性且受威胁程度最高的类群之一。在从陆地向水生环境过渡的演化历程中，鲸类演化出众多形态、生活史与生态特征，以提升其对水生环境的适应性。然而，目前尚未建立覆盖全球的鲸类生态特征综合数据库。
方法：本研究通过系统梳理图书、文献与数据资源，收集并整理鲸类特征数据，涵盖15项形态特征、12项生活史特征及11项生态特征。基于所获数据，我们量化了各物种的特征完备程度，并采用系统发育线性回归模型（phylogenetic linear regression model）探究影响数据完备率的相关因素。
结果：形态特征的完备率区间为73%至100%，生活史特征完备率区间为29%至100%，生态特征完备率区间为30%至100%。回归分析结果显示，较早被科学描述的物种以及栖息于近岸生境的物种，其数据完备率普遍更高。
结论：本数据集为鲸类生态学、保护生物学及进化生物学领域的研究提供了关键基础信息，同时也为区域及全球鲸类保护工作中的数据共享与交流搭建了重要平台。

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集系统收集了全球94种鲸豚类的形态、生活史和生态特征，包括15个形态特征、12个生活史特征和11个生态特征，通过文献回顾整理而成。特征完整性范围从形态特征的73%-100%到生态特征的30%-100%，较早描述和近岸栖息的物种数据更完整。数据集为鲸豚类生态学、保护生物学和进化生物学研究提供基础数据，并支持全球保护行动的数据共享。