:ocean: Cifonauta, an image database for marine biology

The Cifonauta database showcases the outstanding biodiversity of our oceans. We have a vast collection of photos and videos featuring a wide range of marine organisms. These include the common creatures you may come across on the beach, as well as the rarest forms that can only be observed under a microscope. The images were captured by scientists during their research and are accompanied by accurate scientific information, such as taxonomic classification, geolocation, habitat, life stage, size, and links to primary literature. Whether you are searching for your favorite organism or simply want to explore the diversity of marine larvae or gelatinous creatures, our thematic tours, offer a curated experience. All the contents are available under Creative Commons licenses.

Explore the marine biodiversity at cifonauta.cebimar.usp.br

How to cite

Individual photo or video:

Inácio Domingos da Silva Neto. Dinoflagellate (image). Cifonauta: marine biology image database. Available at https://cifonauta.cebimar.usp.br/media/8945/ Accessed on 2024-06-23.

The database itself:

Vellutini BC, Migotto AE (2011). Cifonauta: marine biology image database. Available at https://cifonauta.cebimar.usp.br/ Accessed on 2024-06-23.

Credits

The Cifonauta database was created by the Center for Marine Biology of the University of São Paulo (CEBIMar/USP).

Creators

• Bruno C. Vellutini: Created the Cifonauta database and coordinated the development of v1 and v2. Contributed with shaping the concept, obtaining funding, designing the database and website, developing the backend and frontend, testing the application, curating the data, managing the repository and servers, and maintaining the codebase over the years.
• Alvaro E. Migotto: Created the Cifonauta database and coordinated the development of v1 and v2. Contributed with creating the concept, obtaining funding, formulating features and implementation ideas, testing the application, and curating the data.

Contributors

Version 1 (2011–2024)

• Roberto Faga: Improved the search interface and taxon navigation. Contributed with coding for the frontend.
• Allan Rodrigo de Lima: Provided IT support. Contributed with setting up the servers that host the website.

Version 2 (2024–today)

• Virginia Castilho: CEBIMar project manager of this version. Contributed with obtaining funding, planning and managing the project, formulating workflows and implementation ideas, testing the application, fixing bugs, and curating the data.
• IN Junior Team (Luiz Felyppe Nunes dos Santos, Vitória Oliveira, João Diniz, Arthur Ferreira, João Guilherme Storti Scatambuli, Larissa Nascimento, Rian Breno Polonini): Developed the new admin dashboard and responsive design. Contributed with formulating workflows, designing implementations, and developing the new features in the backend and frontend of the application.
• Marcelo Kitahara: Tested the new dashboard workflows. Contributed with testing the application.
• Joel Simberg Vieira: Provided IT support. Contributed with setting up the virtual machines for hosting the website.

Content

• Authors, curators, and editors: created, edited, and curated the photos and videos featured in the Cifonauta database. See the full list of contributors.

Funding

• 2008 - National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Call MCT/CNPq N°42/2007, Process 551951/2008-7. Supported the development of v1.
• 2022 - Pro-Rectory of Culture and University Extension (PRCEU), Call 02/2022 - Preservation and Curation of Collections and Cultural Heritage. Supported the development of v2.

Current team

• Bruno C. Vellutini
• Alvaro E. Migotto
• Virginia Castilho