eLasmobranc Dataset: An Image Dataset for Elasmobranch Species Recognition and Biodiversity Monitoring

TL;DR

The eLasmobranc Dataset is presented, a curated and publicly available image collection from seven ecologically relevant elasmobranch species inhabiting the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast, a region where two ISRAs have been identified.

Abstract

Elasmobranch populations are experiencing significant global declines, and several species are currently classified as threatened. Reliable monitoring and species-level identification are essential to support conservation and spatial planning initiatives such as Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). However, existing visual datasets are predominantly detection-oriented, underwater-acquired, or limited to coarse-grained categories, restricting their applicability to fine-grained morphological classification. We present the eLasmobranc Dataset, a curated and publicly available image collection from seven ecologically relevant elasmobranch species inhabiting the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast, a region where two ISRAs have been identified. Images were obtained through dedicated data collection, including field campaigns and collaborations with local fish markets and projects, as well as from open-access public sources. The dataset was constructed predominantly from images acquired outside the aquatic environment under standardized protocols to ensure clear visualization of diagnostic morphological traits. It integrates expert-validated species annotations, structured spatial and temporal metadata, and complementary species-level information. The eLasmobranc Dataset is specifically designed to support supervised species-level classification, population studies, and the development of artificial intelligence systems for biodiversity monitoring. By combining morphological clarity, taxonomic reliability, and public accessibility, the dataset addresses a critical gap in fine-grained elasmobranch identification and promotes reproducible research in conservation-oriented computer vision. The dataset is publicly available at https://zenodo.org/records/18549737.

Figures (6)

• Figure 1: Study area along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast, where two ISRAs have been recognized ISRA_Atlas.
• Figure 2: Representative examples from the eLasmobranc Dataset.
• Figure 3: Illustrative leaflet developed to disseminate the image acquisition protocol among collaborators. The material is provided in Spanish due to the geographical scope of the study.
• Figure 4: Distribution of images and distinct specimens across the elasmobranch species.
• Figure 5: Taxonomic hierarchy (class, infraclass, order, family and species) of the elasmobranch species included in the dataset.