The Paleobiology Database (PBDB) functions as the authoritative, web-accessible repository for global paleontological occurrence data, serving as a critical infrastructure for research in evolutionary biology, paleoecology, and stratigraphy. It enables paleontologists, students, and researchers to directly query, visualize, and download fossil records through a browser, facilitating systematic investigations into biodiversity dynamics, evolutionary trajectories, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions without requiring specialized software beyond a standard web client.
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Paleobiology Database Website Full Guide (2026)
Public database of paleontological data.
WebsiteScienceSearch
2.5 (AI Aggregated)
Updated May 26, 2026
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Introduction
Key Features
Core Capabilities
Taxon Search Interface for specific genera, species, or higher taxonomic rank
Occurrence Data Query Panel with filters for time, geography, taxonomy, and lithology
Stratigraphic Range Chart Generator for visualizing temporal distribution of taxa
Data Download Utility for exporting query results in CSV, KML, or JSON format
Additional Details
Geographic Map Visualization for plotting fossil occurrences on interactive paleogeographic map
Phylogenetic Tree Viewer for displaying evolutionary relationships among taxa
Contributor Data Submission Portal for researchers to upload new occurrence data
API Access Endpoint for programmatic data retrieval and integration into custom application
Use Cases
For General
Investigating Biogeographic Patterns of Extinct Ta
A researcher studying the spatial and temporal distribution of a specific fossil group across geological periods utilizes the database to retrieve all known occurrences, plot them on interactive paleogeographic maps, and analyze their dispersal and vicariance patterns to understand ancient ecosystem
Submitting and Curating New Fossil Discoverie
A field paleontologist or museum curator uploads newly collected fossil occurrence data, including precise locality information, taxonomic identifications, and stratigraphic context, ensuring their research contributes to the global dataset and is discoverable and citable by the broader scientific community
How to Use Paleobiology Database
Initiate a Targeted Fossil Occurrence Query
Navigate to the 'Query' section on the homepage. Input specific taxonomic names (e.g., 'Trilobita'), geological periods (e.g., 'Cambrian'), or geographic coordinates into the respective search fields. Refine the query using additional filters like lithology or collection type, then execute the search to retrieve a list of matching fossil occurrence
Paleobiology Database Alternatives
Palaeontologia Electronica
Open-access paleontology journal.
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PaleoWorld Research Foundation
Supports paleontological field research.
Paleontological Research Institution (PRI)
Institution studying Earth history & life.
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PaleoNet Pages
Resources and links for paleontology.
About Paleobiology Database
Platforms
Categories
Domainpaleobiodb.org
Useful Links
1 totalPaleobiology Database Status
Active
Service is operational