Rotifera represents a phylum of about 2000 species of microscopic aquatic animals, whose length ranges between 80 and 1000 μm. Marine rotifers occur in both plankton and benthos, where they may significantly contribute to the total biomass, and play a key role in the energy transfer process. According to a recent review, in saltwater habitats there are 443 rotifer taxa at either specific, subspecific and infrasubspecific rank, corresponding to 391 nominal species, which corresponds to about 20% of the known rotifer species. A total of 164 taxa or 37.0% (148 species) have been found in saltwater only and are considered stenohaline. Some other 173 taxa (39.1%) are reported from both fresh- and saltwater habitats and are considered truly euryhaline. At least 106 (23.9%) are known from freshwater habitats, and found in saltwater only occasionally and sparsely (‘haloxenous taxa’).

This website will be the future home of Marine Rotifera where participants can edit and maintain their classification, upload images, maintain bibliographic resources, among other activities.