Co-founder of the sea slug census program, Stephen Smith, a professor from Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre, says there’s more to the event than just a chance for divers to photograph these colourful, charismatic molluscs. Instead, these creatures are proving to be reliable indicators of global climate change.
The sparkling ocean inlet of Port Stephens, more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour and nestled between Nelson Bay and Hawks Nest on the NSW lower north coast, is a seahorse hotspot, with four species found here — this phenomenon occurs nowhere else in the country, and is considered rare worldwide.
If you’re wondering what life in the deepest, darkest depths of Australia’s eastern abyss looks like, feast your eyes on the glory that is the peanut worm – arguably the world’s most suggestive life-form, second only to the legendary pigbutt worm.
While Port Stephens is said to be a hotspot with an estimated 250 different species scattered across the seabed, we’ve narrowed down a list of our favourites.
Each mature river red gum tree supports a complex community of native animals.
Mygalomorphs are an ancient group of spiders that have remained almost unchanged for millions of years. Unlike modern spiders, which have pincer-like biting apparatus, mygalomorphs have dagger-like fangs that they thrust downwards in a ‘pick-axe’ motion. Here we show a representative species from each of the major mygalomorph families found in Australia. Text and photographs by Nick Volpe
To celebrate Threatened Species Day take a close look at the hard work scientists are doing to prevent the extinction of our native animals.
To celebrate Threatened Species Day this Thursday the TS Commissioner, Greg Andrews is holding a bake off with a twist— all baked goods must be of your favourite threatened species. Greg will be judging entries alongside Dr Bec West from UNSW and Annabel Crabb. Entries close this Thursday.
Young whale researcher and budding photographer, Annabelle Wall accompanied Canon master Darren Jew on a preliminary trip to Tonga to get up-close and personal with the local humpbacks, and they didn’t disappoint. To join Darren on his next trip to Tonga click HERE.
The Tasmanian tiger is officially extinct. Yet as biologists investigate plausible sightings, it’s clear the search never stopped.