Terrestrial Zoology's research

  • 7 Aug 2012

    Prof. Lyn Beazley introduces Prethopalpus attenboroughi

    This video documents WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley's gift of a mounted photograph of Prethopalpus attenboroughi and also a signed copy of the publication where this species was named. This gift was presented to Sir David Attenbourough during his visit to the Western Australian Museum.

    Prethopalpus attenboroughi was described by the Western Austrailan Museum's Dr Mark Harvey and Queensland Museum Research Fellow Dr Barbara Baehr and was named in honour of Sir David Attenborough.

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    Video
    Danny Murphy

  • 30 Jul 2012

    Down Under Down Under: collecting in the dark zone

    Authored by Dr Bill Humphreys Presented by Dr Mark Harvey Presented as part of the In the Wild West Lecture Series in 2012.

    Beneath our feet lies a hotspot of subterranean biodiversity. Hear about the lengths our curators go to - from fishing down boreholes in the desert to abseiling, crawling, hammering, digging and cave diving - to collect specimens for the State’s collection.

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    Video
    Danny Murphy

  • 20 Jun 2012

    Footage of a new Onychophora

    Footage of a new species of Onychophora - collected from Toolbrunup Peak, Stirling Range National Park, WA in 2011.

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    Video
    Western Australian Museum

  • 20 Jun 2012

    Footage of Austrarchaea robinsi

    Footage of Austrarchaea robinsi Harvey, 2002 - collected from Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park, WA in 2011.

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    Video
    Western Australian Museum

  • Two type specimens of a beetle from the WA Museum Entomology Collection

    24 May 2012

    What is a Type specimen?

    Generally, species are described by taxonomists based on a type specimen and the details published in a scientifically recognised publication. The published scientific name and the official description which defines the characteristics of the species are then permanently associated with this type specimen.

    Type specimens form part of biological collections maintained by museums and universities where they can be accessed by other scientists.

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    Blog entry
    Western Australian Museum

  • A small, green bowerbird sitting on the forest floor

    5 Apr 2012

    Notes about the WA Checklist of Terrestrial Vertebrates

    In April 2012, we published our revised Western Australian Checklist for Vertebrate Fauna. There were a few questions about some of the details raised on Facebook and Twitter. This reply was written by Ornithology curator, Ron Johnstone in response to some of the birds listings in the checklist:

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    Blog entry
    Western Australian Museum

  • Small Kimberley Rocket frog sitting on a log

    Herpetology (Reptiles and Frogs) Collection

    Collections | Updated 6 months ago

    The Herpetology collection contains specimens of reptiles and frogs from throughout Australia and South-East Asia but predominantly Western Australia. The majority of the collection is preserved in alcohol but some dried and skeletal material is also maintained. The collection is used largely for research and reference but also serves a vital role in public education through museum exhibitions. New and exciting discoveries within the collection continue to be made every year.

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