A global geospatial dataset of freshwater fish species at the drainage-basin scale (updated to December 2024)

Description This dataset presents an updated and expanded version of the global freshwater fish occurrence database at the drainage-basin scale originally developed by Tedesco et al. (2017). Building on this foundational resource, the present version incorporates substantial revisions to improve spatial resolution, taxonomic completeness, and temporal coverage. Specifically, the updated dataset includes: An expanded drainage-basin framework comprising 3,364 basins, providing improved global spatial representation An updated inventory of 18,821 freshwater fish species, standardized and revised to December 2024 Updated species–basin occurrence records based on recent data sources, literature, and database integration Harmonized taxonomy aligned with current nomenclatural standards These updates enable more robust analyses of global freshwater fish biodiversity patterns, knowledge gaps, and conservation prioritization. This dataset is intended to support research in macroecology, biogeography, and biodiversity conservation. Users are encouraged to cite both the original dataset (Tedesco et al. 2017) and this updated version when using the data. Data Files This dataset is provided in multiple formats to facilitate use across different GIS and analytical platforms: Basin_202412_3364.shp / .dbf / .shx / .prjA standard ESRI shapefile representing the global drainage-basin framework (3,364 basins). .shp: geometry (basin polygons) .dbf: attribute table (basin-level information) .shx: shape index file .prj: coordinate reference system (CRS) information All spatial data are provided in the WGS 84 geographic coordinate system (EPSG:4326). Basin_202412_3364.rdsAn R serialized object containing the basin spatial data, optimized for direct use in R (e.g., with sf ). This format preserves data structure and enables efficient loading for analytical workflows. cas_freshwater_202412.xlsxA tabular dataset containing freshwater fish species occurrence records across drainage basins, including updated taxonomy and species–basin associations standardized to December 2024. References Tedesco, P. A. et al. A global database on freshwater fish species occurrence in drainage basins. Sci. Data 4, 1–6 (2017). Ding, L. et al. Global shortfalls in freshwater fish biodiversity knowledge inform strategic collection priorities. (2026).