Marine Invertebrates

In 2010, as part of the initiative to review the State of Knowledge on Ireland’s Biological Diversity the National Biodiversity Data Centre produced an inventory of sources of biodiversity data. The inventory was developed by inviting recognised national experts to identify the state of knowledge.

The Biodiversity Inventory is laid complete in sections following taxonomic grouping with an overview. Each section follows the same format; Irish checklist, number of species, primary sources of distribution data, National conservation assessment, and monitoring or repeat surveys in place. This layout allows the reader to compare the state of knowledge of different groups.

Compass Jellyfish – Dave Wall

Irish Checklists

Note: InvertebrateIreland aims to put online all checklists of Irish invertebrates compiled by acknowledged experts.

Yellow Hedgehog Sponge – Dave Wall

Number of non-insect invertebrate species

8,000+

Common Lobster – Dave Wall

Primary sources of distribution data

  • Bryozoa: Marine Bryozoa (Wyse Jackson, 1991)
  • Corals (Deegan, 2004)
  • Crustacea: records held by Mark Holmes, Natural History Museum, Dublin
  • Crustacea: Asellota (Isopoda) (Kavanagh, 2009)
  • Crustacea: Lobster (Tully et al., 2006) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Crustacea: Brown crab (Tully et al., 2006) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Crustacea: Clawed lobster (Nolan, 2004) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Crustacea: Shrimp (Kelly et al., 2008) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Crustacea: Nephrops under water TV surveys (Marine Institute)
  • Crustacea: Hypogean Crustacea of Ireland*
  • Jellyfish: EcoJel Project (UCC)
  • Marine flora and fauna (Howson & Picton, 1999)
  • Marine species: EcoServe – BioMar – LIFE project*
  • Mollusca: Marine molluscs (Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland)
  • Mollusca: Scallops (Tully, 2006) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Mollusca: Cockle (Hervas et al., 2008) (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
  • Mollusca: Cephalopods (Lordan et al., 2001) (Marine Institute)
  • Nematoda: Brown et al., 1977
  • Oligochaetes: Aquatic Oligochaeta of Ireland (Pascal Sweeney)*
  • Sponges of Rathlin Island**Databases held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps
  • Explore Your Shore* (National Biodiversity Data Cente) 

Seven-armed Starfish – Dave Wall

National conservation assessment

Great Scallop – Dave Wall

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place