Introducing FAMM: an open-access database of Fossil Arctic Marine Mammals

Motivation: The Arctic is currently experiencing the strongest effects of
climate change on Earth. These effects, including sea ice loss, are
already modifying ecologies of the 11 species of marine mammals found in
the Arctic year-round. Data from contemporary individuals are often
applied to understand how these species may respond to future climate
change. The inclusion of fossil data can provide greater insight into
species histories. Conservation approaches are increasingly enhanced by
including ancient biomolecular data such as radiocarbon age, stable
isotopes, and ancient DNA. However, analytical quality is challenged by
data degradation over time, lack of cross-linkage between different
ancient biomolecular data, and widely varying metadata standards across
fields. Here, we compile and present an open-access database of Fossil
Arctic Marine Mammals (FAMM) containing nearly 3400 specimens with
harmonized primary and molecular biodiversity data, providing a crucial
resource to Arctic biodiversity and environmental research. Types of
variables collected: FAMM contains records and metadata of Arctic marine
mammal macrofossils, including: taxonomy; geographic provenance;
radiocarbon age; stable isotopes; and ancient DNA. FAMM aligns with Darwin
Core standards for reproducibility. Spatial location and grain: Arctic and
sub-Arctic. Time period and grain: Last Interglacial (130,000 years BP) to
~1500 CE. Major taxa and level of measurement: All 11 extant endemic
Arctic marine mammal species: bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus); narwhal
(Monodon monoceros); beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas); polar bear
(Ursus maritimus); walrus (Odobenus rosmarus); ringed seal (Pusa hispida);
bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus); hooded seal (Cystophora cristata);
harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus); spotted seal (Phoca largha); and
ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata). We also include the historically
extinct Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas). Software format: Data are
provided as three csv files uploaded to Dryad: 1.) A key describing the
columns in the FAMM database; and 2.) the FAMM database itself; 3.) a key
explaining the museum acronyms used in FAMM.