Blog archive:
Science

The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) has been known for some years for its ability to mimic flatfish, lionfish and seasnakes. A recent discovery in Indonesia adds a whole new twist to this story. The Black-marble Jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) mimics the Mimic Octopus.

Balinese Paintings: collaborative research. Siobhan Campbell, Sydney University and Stan Florek - Australian Museum, October 2011.

Q&A with the Museum biologist who helped answer an enduring question about the family tree of the second largest group of animals on earth: molluscs.

The oceans absorb much of the carbon dioxide we emit, but have they reached breaking point? asks ecologist Alan Jones.  

Lady Tunakaimanu Feilakepa is renowned and greatly respected for her traditional cultural knowledge in Tonga and across the Pacific. For one week in November 2011 Mrs. Fielakepa visited the museum to share her memories, knowledge and passion for Tongan traditions.

The Australian Museum’s scientists are often asked to apply their expertise in unexpected ways.

The sacred and profane.

Read here about two volunteers who work on the Digitisation Project

Showcasing the research done by students associated with the Museum...

What should we eat in Bali?

The mist-shrouded mountains of Vietnam reveal two new species of moss frog.

This impressive movie was taken at a depth of 2400 m.  The fish is a Threadfin Seasnail, Rhodichthys regina (family Liparidae).  Thank you to Dr David Stein for identifying the fish.

Expedition to Java Sea.

DigiVol (formerly Rapid Digitisation Project): Check out some amazing pics of cicadas, tree hoppers, and hawk moths taken by our volunteers.

Hagfishes are incredible! They can stop a would-be predator within seconds with a mouthful of slime. Ichthyologists at the National Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa) have just published a fascinating paper on hagfish behaviour in the journal Nature.