ZooTraits

ZooTraits aggregates and integrates animal trait data from multiple datasets to facilitate ecological and evolutionary research across the animal tree of life.

Key Features:

• ExploreTrait: Enables exploration, comparison, and extraction of trait records across species.
• GetTrait: Allows downloading of trait data from centralized repositories.
• FeedTrait: Supports user upload of trait information to expand the database.
• Data aggregation: Combines datasets from the Open Trait Network, the AnimalTraits database, and trait information compiled by Gonçalves-Souza et al. (2023, Ecology and Evolution 13, e10016).
• Taxonomic scope: Summarizes trait information for numerous taxonomic groups within the Animal Kingdom, encompassing data from diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and various geographic regions worldwide.
• Data volume: Provides access to 3954 trait records from 23,394 species centralized in the Open Traits Network, and trait data for approximately 2000 species from the AnimalTraits database.

Scientific Applications:

• Trait-based ecology: Supports research addressing how animal traits influence ecological processes and patterns.
• Comparative evolutionary biology: Facilitates cross-species comparison of trait information across different taxonomic groups.
• Macroecology: Enables analysis of trait distributions across diverse ecosystems and geographic regions worldwide.
• Community ecology: Supports compilation of trait data for understanding species assemblages and their functional characteristics.

Methodology:

ZooTraits was developed as a Shiny app in R that integrates datasets centralized in the Open Trait Network, raw data from the AnimalTraits database, and trait information for animals compiled by Gonçalves-Souza et al. (2023).