Marine Biology
A partially bleached coral head may offer some shelter. Image (c) Wolcott Henry 2005/Marine Photobank

Coral bleaching causes deadly competition among fish

Some fish turn aggressive when they have to share limited resources.

Astaxanthin is the pigment that gives prawns that bright red colouring. Image: Shutterstock

Why do shellfish change colour when cooked?

  The answer to this question lies in the breaking of specific chemical bonds by heat.

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BPA causes interspecies mating

The hormone-disrupting chemical makes it hard for fish to recognise their own species.

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Plenty of fish in the sea

Our coral reefs may be on the brink of collapse, just like they did 4,000 years ago. Image: Shutterstock

El Niño to blame for ancient reef collapse

Ancient reef foretells the possible fate of modern coral reef ecosystems.

The rare Recluzia snail uses its mucus bubbles as a flotation belt. Image: Denis Reiks.

Why do some snails float?

In the case of the snail, the eggs came first.

A Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) drawn by Carl Chun, 1911

Do all vampires have fangs?

A trip to the Deep Oceans exhibition at the Australian Museum changed our perspective on these alleged neck nibblers.

The Peacock mantis shrimp has two extremely strong hammer clubs. Image: S. Baron

Sorry molluscs, can’t hide from the mantis shrimp

Researchers are looking at the club of the Peacock mantis shrimp as inspiration for designing strong materials.

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Octopus focus on key features for camouflage

Effective camouflage technique give octopi an evolutionary advantage.

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Victoria’s orange army

  Thousands of Giant Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) congregate in Port Phillip Bay every year before their winter moult.

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