TriloMorph: a dynamic and collaborative database for morphogeometric information of trilobites

Abstract

Modern morphometric-based approaches provide valuable metrics to quantify and understand macroevolutionary and macroecological patterns and processes. However, very few large scale morphological datasets are currently available for Life and Earth Sciences, including Palaeontology. Here we describe TriloMorph, an openly accessible database for morpho-geometric information of trilobites, the main Palaeozoic group of marine arthropods, together with a landmark acquisition protocol. In addition to morphological traits, the database contains contextual data on chronostratigraphic age, geographic location, taxonomic information and lithology of landmarked specimens. In this first version, the dataset has broad taxonomic and temporal coverage and comprises more than 55% of all trilobite genera and 85% of families recorded in the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) through Devonian geological stages. We provide a release of geometric morphometric data of 277 specimens (generic level) linked to published references. This is the first attempt of such an online morphometric repository. By bringing this information into a single open database we enhance the possibility of performing global paleobiological research, providing a major complement to the PBDB.