Marine taxonomy is a characteristic discipline in the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS). The Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny (MOTP) is one of the main research organizations in the IOCAS. It focuses on the study of taxonomy, phylogeny, biodiversity and biogeography of marine organisms from China seas. Besides, MOPT aims at establishing a database of marine biodiversity and DNA taxonomy on the basis of the Marine Biological Museum of CAS. The department comprises a unique and reputed group of taxonomists working on a broad range of marine biota, such as macroalgae, protozoa (ciliate, foraminifera, radiolaria), invertebrate (e.g. Porifera/Spongia, Cnidaria, Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea, Bryozoa, Echinodermata) and fishes. Till now, 18 staff members, among whom two are members of Chinese Academy of Sciences (academicians) and four are research professors, and 18 postgraduate students are working in MOTP. The Department has made remarkable achievements in the marine taxonomy and biodiversity studies, publishing over 100 monographs and 1100 articles. It has been recognized as a main source and a key research centre for marine biodiversity in China.