"marine biology" tag
Light and temperature trigger the loss of symbiotic algae (bleaching) in a nutrient-stressed staghorn coral. Image: University of Southampton

Corals can suffer from nutrient imbalance

Improving water quality could help save coral reefs.

Fish with cancer discovered in Australia. Image: Newcastle University/Michael Sweet

Australian fish have high incidence of skin cancer too

Widespread skin cancer has been identified in coral trout species in the Great Barrier Reef.

Dolphin spongers 'wear' the porous invertebrates on their beaks to help them hunt for prey on the ocean floor. Image: Ewa Krzyszczyk, monkeymiadolphins.org

Australian dolphins form a subculture

Bottlenose dolphins display the first evidence of animal grouping based on mutual interests.

gentoo

Antarctica under threat

Squid

Heavy mating has a cost

The dumpling squid (Euprymna tasmanica) mates for up to three hours and cannot return to peak physical form for up to 30 minutes.

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.

shiners3

BPA causes interspecies mating

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

ostraciidae

Plenty of fish in the sea

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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