Image taken by Quentin Jossart licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Identification keys

A list of identification keys and taxonomic resources for antarctic species

taxa title author(s) format open access language
Multiple taxa Underwater Field Guide to Ross Island & McMurdo Sound, Antarctica P Brueggeman Website Yes english
Multiple taxa Antarctic Macrobenthos M Rauschert, W Arntz Book No english
Multiple taxa Antarctic Marine Wildlife: Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea & Scotia Sea J Watts Book No english
Multiple taxa Antarctica : a Guide to the Wildlife T Soper Book No english
Multiple taxa FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes, Southern Ocean W Fisher, JC Hureau Book Yes english
Multiple taxa Field Identification Guide to Heard Island and McDonald Islands Benthic Invertebrates T Hibberd and K Moore Book Yes english
Multiple taxa Marine Benthic Fauna of Chilean Patagonia V Häussermann, G Försterra Book No english
Multiple taxa Marine Wildlife King George Island Antarctica D Schories, G Kohlberg Book Yes english
Multiple taxa NIWA Biodiversity Memoirs Several Authors Book Yes english
Multiple taxa South Atlantic zooplankton. Vol. 1 D Boltovskoy Book No english
Multiple taxa South Atlantic zooplankton. Vol. 2 D Boltovskoy Book No english
Multiple taxa A guide to common deepsea invertebrates in New Zealand waters version 3 (2011) DM Tracey, OF Anderson, J R Naylor (Comp) Book Yes english
Multiple taxa CCAMLR VME Taxa Identification Guide Version 2022 CCAMLR Website Yes english
Multiple taxa Classification guide forpotentially vulnerable invertebrate taxa in the SPRFMO Area (2008) D M Tracey, S J Parker, E Mackay, O Anderson, K Ramm Website Yes english
Annelida Ampharetidae family (Annelida: Polychaeta) I Jirkov, S Schiaparelli Xper3 Key Yes english
Annelida Guide to New Zealand Shell Polychaetes G Read Website Yes english
Annelida Guide to New Zealand Shore Polychaetes G Read Website Yes english
Annelida An Identification Key to Antarctic Fish leeches (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) AY Utevsky Scientific paper Yes english
Annelida Contribution to the taxonomic knowledge of Ampharetidae (Annelida) from Antarctica with the description of Amage giacomobovei sp. nov. S Schiaparelli, I Jirkov Scientific paper Yes english
Annelida Echiura from the Antarctic and Adjacent Waters. JI Saiz-Salinas, HK Dean, EB Cutler Scientific paper No english
Annelida New Ampharetidae (Polychaeta) from the deep Southern Ocean and shallow Patagonian waters M Schüller, I Jirkov Scientific paper No english
Sipuncula Sipuncula from Antarctic Waters EB Cutler, HK Dean, JI Saiz-Salinas Scientific paper Yes english
Annelida The Polychaeta of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: Illustrated keys to the species and results of the 1982-1989 University of Cape Town surveys ML Branch Scientific paper Yes english
Sipuncula The Sipuncula of sublittoral New Zealand, with a key to all New Zealand species EB Cutler, A Schulze, HK Dean Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Checklist of the Collembola of the World PF Bellinger PF, KA Christiansen, F Janssens Website Yes english
Arthropoda Antarctic and Subantarctic Pycnogonida. I. The Family Ammotheidae WA Child Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Antarctic and Subantarctic Pycnogonida II. The Family Austrodecidae WA Child Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Antarctic and Subantarctic Pycnogonida III. The Family Nymphonidae WA Child Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Antarctic and Subantarctic Pycnogonida IV. The Families Colossendeidae and Rhynchotoraxidae WA Child Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Antarctic and Subantarctic Pycnogonida V. The Families Pycnogonidae, Phoxichilidiidae, Endeidae, and Callipallenidae, including the genus Pallenopsis WA Child Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda Collembola of sub-Antarctic South Georgia P Convey, P Greenslade, RJ Arnold, W Block Scientific paper No english
Arthropoda The Pycnogonida of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: Illustrated keys to the species F Arnaud, ML Branch Scientific paper Yes english
Arthropoda New findings and a new species of the genus Ammothea (Pycnogonida, Ammotheidae), with an updated identification key to all Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species E Cano-Sánchez, PJ López-González Scientific paper Yes english
Arthropoda Two new species and new findings in the genus Pallenopsis (Pycnogonida: Pallenopsidae) with an updated identification key to Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic species E Cano-Sánchez, PJ López-González Scientific paper No english
Bryophyta (Plantae) The Illustrated Moss Flora of Antarctica R Ochyra; R Lewis-Smith, H Bednarek-Ochyra Book No english
Bryozoa Bountiful Bryozoans: An interactive guide to the bryozoans of New Zealand D Gordon, S Mills Interactive PDF Yes english
Bryozoa Antarctic cheilostomatous Bryozoa PJ Hayward Book No english
Bryozoa The marine fauna of New Zealand: Bryozoa: Gymnolaemata from the Kermadec Ridge D Gordon Book Yes english
Bryozoa The marine fauna of New Zealand: Bryozoa: Gymnolaemata (Ctenostomata and Cheilostomata Anasca) from the western South Island continental shelf and slope D Gordon Book Yes english
Bryozoa The marine fauna of New Zealand: Bryozoa: Gymnolaemata (Cheilostomida Ascophorina) from the western South Island continental shelf and slope. D Gordon Book Yes english
Bryozoa Bryozoa collected by the United States Antarctic Research Program: new taxa and new records PJ Hayward, JE Winston Scientific paper No english
Bryozoa New bryozoan taxa from a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Weddell Sea H De Blauwe, DP Gordon Scientific paper Yes english
Bryozoa New deep Cheilostomata (Bryozoa) species from the Southwestern Atlantic: shedding light in the dark B Figuerola, D Gordon, J Cristobo Scientific paper No english
Bryozoa The Bryozoa of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: illustrated keys to the species and results of the 1982–1989 University of Cape Town surveys ML Branch, PJ Hayward Scientific paper No english
Chordata Key to the early stages of Antarctic fish A North, A Kellermann Website Yes english
Chordata Awesome Ascidians: An interactive guide to the sea squirts (ascidians) of New Zealand’s coastal waters M Page Interactive PDF Yes english
Chordata A complete guide to Antarctic wildlife : the birds and marine mammals of the Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean H Shirihai Book No english
Chordata A guide to the Pelagic tunicates of the Southern Ocean and adjacent waters DB O’Sullivan Book No english
Chordata Fishes of the Southern Ocean O Gon, P Heemstra Book Yes english
Chordata Identification key and catalogue of larval Antarctic fishes A Kellerman Book No english
Chordata Identification of seabirds of the southern ocean : a guide for scientific observers aboard fishing vessels D Onley, JA Bartle Book No english
Chordata Antarctic Ascidians (Tunicata) of the French-Australian survey CEAMARC in Terre Adélie F Monniot, A Dettai, M Eléaume et al Scientific paper No english
Cnidaria Symplectoscyphus genus (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) B Mercado Xper3 Key Yes english
Cnidaria Adorable Anemones: An interactive guide to the shallow water anemones of New Zealand S Mills, S Cox Interactive PDF Yes english
Cnidaria Jiggling Jellyfish: An interactive guide to the jellyfish of New Zealand D Macpherson, D Gordon Interactive PDF Yes english
Cnidaria Coral identification guide D Tracey, E Mackay, D Gordon PDF Guide Yes english
Cnidaria A guide to the Hydromedusae of the Southern Ocean and adjacent waters DB O’Sullivan Book No english
Cnidaria A guide to the Scyphomedusae of the Southern Ocean and adjacent Waters DB O’Sullivan Book No english
Cnidaria Antarctic Scleratinia S Cairns Book Yes english
Cnidaria Antarctic Siphonophores from Plankton Samples of the United States Antarctic Research Program A Alvariño, J Wojtan, M Martinez Book No english
Cnidaria The Hydrozoa, Octocorallia and Scleractinia of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: Illustrated keys to the species and results of the 1982 - 1989 University of Cape Town surveys ML Branch, GC Williams Scientific paper Yes english
Crustacea Electronic Key to the World Mysida T Deprez Website Yes english
Crustacea Key to families of Cumacea L Watling, S Gerken Website Yes english
Crustacea A guide to the Euphausiacea of the Southern Ocean J Kirkwood Book No english
Crustacea Crustacean Guide for Predator Studies in the Southern Ocean J Xavier, Y Cherel, G Boxshall et al Book Yes english
Crustacea An annotated checklist and keys to the species of Copepoda Harpacticoida (Crustacea) J Wells Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Benthic myodocopid Ostracoda (Philomedidae) from the Southern Ocean V Chavtur, D Keyser Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Benthic Ostracods of Skogsbergiella (Myodocopina: Cylindroleberididae) from the Southern Ocean V Chavtur, D Keyser Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Biogeography of deep-sea wood fall, cold seep and hydrothermal vent Ostracoda (Crustacea), with the description of a new family and a taxonomic key to living Cytheroidea I Karanovic, S Brandão Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Description of new members of the family Cylindroleberididae (Ostracoda: Cylindroleberidoidea) from the Southern Ocean V Chavtur, D Keyser Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Epimeria of the Southern Ocean with notes on their relatives (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Eusiroidea) C d’Udekem d’Acoz, M Verheye Scientific paper Yes english
Crustacea Integrative taxonomy of giant crested Eusirus in the Southern Ocean, including the description of a new species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Eusiridae) M Verheye, C d’Udekem d’Acoz Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Macrocyprididae (Ostracoda) from the Southern Ocean: taxonomic revision, macroecological patterns, and biogeographical implications S Brandão Scientific paper Yes english
Crustacea Mysidae (Mysida) of New Zealand; a checklist, identification key to species and an overview of material in New Zealand collections M Jocque, W Blom Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Mysids (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the southern Indian Ocean with descriptions of two new species A Biju, P Jasmine, S Panampunnayil Scientific paper No english
Crustacea New subgenus and new species of marine benthic ostracods of genus Doloria (Ostracoda; Myodocopina) from the Southern Ocean V Chavtur, S Brandão, A Bashmanov Scientific paper No english
Crustacea On the genus Thaumatoconcha Kornicker and Sohn (Halocyprida) with description of two new species from Southern Ocean deep sea I Karanovic, S Brandão Scientific paper Yes english
Crustacea Spinacopia dietkeyseri, a new species of Marine Ostracoda (Sarsiellidae: Myodocopina) from the Southern ocean V Chavtur Scientific paper No english
Crustacea Southern Ocean Macrostylidae reviewed with a key to the species and new descriptions from Maud Rise T Riehl, A Brandt Scientific paper No english
Crustacea The benthic Crustacea of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: Illustrated keys to the species and results of the 1982-1989 University of Cape Town Surveys ML Branch, CL Griffiths, BF Kensley, J Sieg Scientific paper Yes english
Echinodermata OFID: Ophiuroidea Family Identification key M Goharimanesh, S Stöhr, O Mirshamsi, F Ghassemzadeh, D Adriaens Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Antarctic Echinoidea T Saucède Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Odontasteridae of the Southern Ocean Q Jossart, C Moreau, B Danis Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Porcellanasteridae family C Moreau, Q Jossart, B Danis Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Pterasteridae of the Southern Ocean Q Jossart, M Kochzius, B Danis, T Saucède, C Moreau Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Sea star Families Q Jossart, C Moreau, K Neill, B Danis Xper3 Key Yes english
Echinodermata Field guide to Kerguelen Islands coastal Echinoderms PROTEKER Website Yes english
Echinodermata Amazing Antarctic Asteroids: a guide to the starfish of the Ross Sea K Neill Interactive PDF Yes english
Echinodermata Extraordinary Echinoderms: An interactive guide to the sea stars, brittle stars, feather stars, sea eggs, and sea cucumbers (echinoderms) of New Zealand S Mills, K Neill, O Anderson, N Davey Interactive PDF Yes english
Echinodermata Starfishes of the Atlantic A Clark & M Downey Book No english
Echinodermata Artificial Keys to the Genera of Living Stalked Crinoids (Echinodermata) M Roux, CG Messing, N Améziane Scientific paper Yes english
Echinodermata Morphological diagnoses of higher taxa in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) in support of a new classification T O’Hara, S Stöhr, A Hugall et al Scientific paper Yes english
Echinodermata The Echinodermata of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands ML Branch, M Jangoux, V Alva et al Scientific paper Yes english
Echinodermata Unrecognized Antarctic Biodiversity: A Case Study of the Genus Odontaster (Odontasteridae; Asteroidea) A Janosik, K Halanych Scientific paper Yes english
Macroalgae Beautiful Browns: An interactive guide to the large brown seaweeds of New Zealand K Neil, W Nelson Interactive PDF Yes english
Macroalgae Antarctic seaweeds C Wiencke, MN Clayton Book No english
Macroalgae New Zealand seaweeds : an illustrated guide WA Nelson Book No english
Macroalgae Seaweeds of New Zealand : an illustrated guide NM Adams Book No english
Macroalgae Taxonomy and Biogeography of Macquarie Island Seaweeds RW Ricker Book No english
Lichens (Fungi-Ascomycota) Lichens of Antarctica and South Georgia D Øvstedal, R Smith Book No english
Mollusca Super Sea Slugs: An interactive guide to the sea slugs of New Zealand R Willan, N Dave Interactive PDF Yes english
Mollusca Cephalopod Beak Guide for the Southern Ocean J Xavier, Y Cherel Book Yes english
Mollusca Compendium of Bivalves. A Full-color Guide to 3300 of the World’s Marine Bivalves. A Status on Bivalvia after 250 Years of Research M Huber Book No english
Mollusca Identification key and species description for Antarctic squids T Okutani, M Clarke Book No english
Mollusca Southern Ocean Cephalopods MA Collins, P Rodhouse Scientific paper No english
Mollusca The benthic Mollusca and Brachiopoda of subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: 1) Illustrated keys to the species; 2) Records of the 1982-1989 University of Cape Town Surveys ML Branch, PM Arnaud, J Cantera, D Gianakouras Scientific paper Yes english
Nematoda Key to the genera of the family Desmodoridae M Steyaer, T Deprez, M Raes et al Website Yes english
Nematoda Key to the genera of the family Draconematidae M Steyaer, T Deprez, M Raes et al Website Yes english
Nematoda Key to the genera of the family Epsilonematidae M Steyaer, T Deprez, M Raes et al Website Yes english
Nematoda Key to the genera of the family Monhysteridae G Fonseca, W Decraemer Website Yes english
Nematoda Freshwater nematodes : ecology and taxonomy E Abebe, I Andrássy Book No english
Nematoda Additions to the nematode fauna of the Antarctic region with keys to taxa NR Maslen Scientific paper Yes english
Porifera Cladorhizidae family (Porifera: Demospongiae) R Downey Xper3 Key Yes english
Porifera Splendid Sponges (Intertidal): An interactive guide to the intertidal sponges of New Zealand N Rush, M Kelly Interactive PDF Yes english
Porifera Splendid Sponges: An interactive guide to sponges of New Zealand M Kelly Interactive PDF Yes english
Porifera Systema Porifera : a guide to the classification of sponges - Volumes 1 & 2 JNA Hooper, R Soest, P Willenz Book No english
Protists Antarctic Marine Protist Keys I Pearce, F Scott Website Yes english
Protists Taxonomy and distribution of recent benthic foraminifers from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica), Oceanographic Campaign 1987/1988 D Violanti Scientific paper Yes english