Blog archive: AMRI

AMRI

The discovery of an exceptional new fossil site offers a glimpse into Australia’s ancient rainforests

New fossil site offers unprecedented insight into Australian landscape, approximately 15 million years ago.

AMRI

Earthworms can sometimes surprise us

Australia is richly endowed with earthworm biodiversity, but of the 750 or so named species of earthworm in Australia, very few have been found in arid environments. The Broken Hill earthworm, a new genus and species, was a serendipitous find in an unexpected location. Find out more at the AM!

AMRI

Discoveries and disruptions: 2021 in AMRI

2021 was an unprecedented year for many: despite COVID-19 disruptions and restrictions, AMRI scientists discovered an unprecedented number of species, published at a new record, carried out fieldwork, and engaged with the public in our citizen science programs.

AMRI

News from LIRS: Marine pollution research

Each month, a selected blog from Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF) is featured at the AM. LIRRF supports scientific research & education at the AM’s Lizard Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. For this month, we feature: Marine pollution research.

AMRI

Digitising the treasures of the sea

The Australian Museum is digitising its collections, including the historic and diverse Marine Invertebrate collection. We explain how the Museum is opening up its treasure trove of specimens to the world and the discoveries we are making along the way.

AMRI

Celebrating a decade of DigiVol!

DigiVol, the World’s first citizen science website for digitising museum collections, turns 10! Today we celebrate our volunteers, staff and all the brilliant collections that make this project so unique.

AMRI

More than a snail’s pace: Progress on Norfolk Island’s threatened snails

There have been moments of excitement and moments of despair along the way, but six months after starting a zoo-based breeding program for two Critically Endangered land snail species from Norfolk Island, the population is stable and progressing well.

AMRI

How to hijack climate change: Tips from vagrant fish

Hotter and drier summers in Australia bring with them massive fires, successive bleaching on coral reefs and widespread die-offs of our valuable kelp forests. Although all may seem doom and gloom in our oceans, some species are surprisingly resourceful and can even take advantage of warmer waters.

AMRI

Chew on this! The diet of an extinct "panda-like" marsupial from New Guinea

What did the “Beast of Huli" eat? The diet of this bizarre extinct marsupial, which had similarities to both giant wombats and pandas, has remained a mystery. PhD student Joshua White, with coauthors, examined the teeth of this species to help answer these questions.

AMRI

Naming the nameless

Correctly naming an organism is fundamental – it is important for all subsequent studies on that species and yet a significant percentage of Australian marine species have not been described. Our scientists explain why we must name the nameless!

AMRI

Bleating or screaming? Two new, very loud, frog species described in eastern Australia

With the help of vital FrogID audio, two new species of frog, each with a call as loud and piercing as each other, are described as new to science.

AMRI

News from LIRS: Outcomes of the Polychaete Workshop eight years on

Each month, a selected blog from Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF) is featured at the AM. LIRRF supports scientific research & education at the AM’s Lizard Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. For this month, we feature: Outcomes of the Polychaete Workshop eight years on.

AMRI

The Flowering of Australia’s Rainforests

Invertebrates are essential in pollinating our rainforests – but how do climate change, fire, fragmentation, invasive species and destructive pathogens impact pollination networks? Dr Geoff Williams OAM, AM, explores how in this Second Edition of The Flowering of Australia’s Rainforests.

AMRI

What do you call one of the world’s most beautiful frogs?

Are some spectacular tree frogs from China and Vietnam two, remarkably similar species, or only one? An international team of herpetologists, including the AM’s Dr Jodi Rowley, solves this mystery once and for all!

AMRI

Do you see what I see?

For effective conservation and fisheries management, we need data – but with limited funding and resources, there are gaps in our monitoring programs. This is where our fabulous citizen scientists come in! Our scientists, with CSIRO and NSW DPI, studied data from the Australasian Fishes Project.