Viewing: Cephalopods
June 6, 2016
Large Octopus Beach-washed at Petrel Cove
We recently received an email message reading “Howdy! I found this Octopus washed up at Petrel Cove and I can’t figure out what species it is. I estimate its leg span to be about 1.5m. Annelise Johnson” The message was accompanied by this photo of the beach-washed octopus: – Our reply to Annelise was: “Hi Annelise, That’s a beauty! The... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Molluscs | By Steve Reynolds
March 19, 2015
Cuttlefish of South Australia
Before I embarked on the production of the documentary film Cuttlefish Country, I had little appreciation of the diversity of cuttlefish species which are found in South Australian waters. When I discuss cuttlebones with friends or strangers, I’m usually met with surprise at the revelation that cuttlebones found in beachwash along the South Australian coast represent not one, not two but several species... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Marine invertebrates | By Dan Monceaux
February 14, 2015
Scientists studying the mating tactics of giant Australian cuttlefish
When giant Australian cuttlefish, Sepia apama, mate, they meet head-to-head and embrace. The male uses a specialised arm to squirt his sperm in to the mouth of the female. There is some short video footage by Roger Hanlon from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts available. According to that same web page, “To initiate sex, a male spreads... Read morePosted in Cephalopods | By Steve Reynolds
December 16, 2014
New research shows shipping sound impacts cuttlefish
Cuttlefish become stressed when exposed to shipping sound and panic when exposed to loud, low-frequencies, according to two scientific papers published this year. The Marine Life Society of South Australia believes that these results should trigger increased research efforts into the impact of shipping noise on the Giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation at Point Lowly, near Whyalla in South Australia. They argue that the matter... Read morePosted in Acoustics, Cephalopods, Marine invertebrates, Molluscs, Pollution | By Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.
October 7, 2014
Aristotle’s lantern and other ‘invertebrate bits’ by Heather Robertson
Heather Lynn Robertson/Stoker writes a blog on marine invertebrates entitled Aristotle’s Lantern. As the title of her blog suggests, Heather seems to be particularly keen on sea urchins. In her own words, “Aristotle’s lantern… is a hard, calcareous feeding structure comprised of very intricate parts unique to sea urchins.” Here is a small excerpt from one of Heather’s recent blog... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Cnidaria, Coral, Creative writing | By Steve Reynolds
October 2, 2014
Marine Life Society of South Australia slams cuttlefish acoustic impact study
The Marine Life Society of South Australia has condemned a recent study into the potential impact of shipping noise on the Giant Australian Cuttlefish aggregation claiming that the study is scientifically flawed and does not prove that shipping has not adversely affected the population. The Society is concerned that the report may be used to justify the approval of the... Read morePosted in Acoustics, Cephalopods, Marine Protected Areas, Pollution | By Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.
August 6, 2014
Evolutionary biologist Professor Steve Donnellan’s ‘Wild lives of wildlife’
Several members of the Marine Life Society of South Australia attended a talk hosted by Butterfly Conservation SA last night. The guest speaker was Professor Steve Donnellan from the South Australian Museum’s Evolutionary Biology Unit, who led us on a curious tour through the sexual hardware of a wide range of terrestrial, avian and marine species. Diversity was the order of the... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Molluscs, Whales & Dolphins | By Dan Monceaux
July 22, 2014
How Jeanette Power’s 19th century argonaut studies in aquaria led to a modern day paper
A PhD student called Julian Finn contacted us in 2006 seeking some information about Jeanette Power. Julian said that Jeanette Power was famous for resolving the truth that argonauts build their own shells. Julian is now Dr Julian Finn, Senior Curator of Marine Invertebrates for Museum Victoria. Back in 2006 he requested copies of some papers regarding Jeanette Power for... Read morePosted in Cephalopods | By Steve Reynolds
June 4, 2014
Underwater photographers focus on Whyalla’s biodiversity
This long weekend, divers and snorkelers from Adelaide and Whyalla will unite to explore and photograph the biodiversity of Upper Spencer Gulf. The Whyalla Underwater Shootout will encourage young and old to explore the region’s rocky and artificial reefs, sandy bottoms, sea grass meadows and mangroves to show that there’s more to Whyalla’s waters than the Giant Australian Cuttlefish aggregation.... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Citizen Science, Events | By Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.
May 13, 2014
Whale season launch at the SA Museum – May 27, 2014
The Marine Life Society of South Australia is pleased to announce that we will have a stall at the SA Whale Centre’s official whale season launch event, to be held at the South Australian Museum on May 27th, 2014. Our stall will feature an audio-visual display of South Australian marine life, and a sneak-preview of a very special new computer game... Read morePosted in Cephalopods, Events, Whales & Dolphins | By Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.