tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074319055446008782024-03-06T05:36:02.355+08:00Mega Marine Survey of SingaporeSingapore's first Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey!Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-19084199165423533632016-06-30T10:02:00.001+08:002016-06-30T10:02:08.987+08:00The Southern Expedition: What we foundThe results of the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/search/label/Southern%20Expedition">Southern Expedition</a> for the Mega Marine Survey are out! These include seven species new to science and more than 160 new records for Singapore!<br /><br />
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<br />A massive 30 articles outline the results and had to be published in two volumes in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rafflesbulletinofzoology/">Raffles Bulletin of Zoology</a> Supplement <a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/index.php/supplements?id=370">No. 34 Part I</a> and <a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/index.php/supplements?id=371">Part II</a>. Some of these will be featured on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549?fref=ts">Mega Marine Survey facebook page</a> in the coming weeks.<br />
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<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2016 Supplement No. 34 (Part I of II)</b><br />
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The Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey: Singapore Strait International Workshop (2013) (Part II of II)<br />
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Edited by: Tan Koh Siang & Linda Goh<br />
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COVER [pdf]<br />
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CONTENTS P. i [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/s34rbzContents1.pdf">pdf</a>]</div>
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The Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey Singapore Strait International Workshop 2013. K. S. Tan, K. S. Koh, J. Y. Ng & L. Goh. Pp. 1-7. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz001-007.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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First time surveying meiofauna in Singapore. R. C. Neves, J. Brand, B. Q. Gan & H. Reichert Pp. 8-12. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz008-012.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Marine algae of the South China Sea bordered by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. S.-M. Phang, H.-Y. Yeong, E. T. Ganzon-Fortes, K. Lewmanomont, A. Prathep, L. N. Hau, G. S. Gerung & K. S. Tan Pp. 13-59. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz013-059.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Seagrass habitats in Singapore: Environmental drivers and key processes. L. J. McKenzie, S. M. Yaakub, R. Tan, J. Seymour & R. L. Yoshida Pp. 60-77. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz060-077.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Marine micro-phytoplankton of Singapore, with a review of harmful microalgae in the region. T. H. Tan, C. P. Leaw, S. C. Y. Leong, L. P. Lim, S. M. Chew, S. T. Teng & P. T. Lim Pp. 78-96. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz078-096.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Description of a new species of sponge encrusting on a sessile gastropod in the Singapore Strait. S. C. Lim & K. S. Tan Pp. 97-103. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz097-103.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Inventory of sponge fauna from the Singapore Strait to Taiwan Strait along the western coastline of the South China Sea. S. C. Lim, S. Putchakarn, M.-Q. Thai, D. Wang & Y.-S. Huang. Pp. 104-129. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz104-129.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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First records of pseudocerotid flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Cotylea) from Singapore: A taxonomic report with remarks on colour variation. D. M. Bolaños, B. Q. Gan & R. S. L. Ong Pp. 130-169. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz130-169.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of Singapore: Re-descriptions of Paracondylactis singaporensis (England, 1987) and P. hertwigi (Wassilieff, 1908). D. G. Fautin & R. Tan Pp. 170-177. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz170-177.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Marine Annelida (excluding clitellates and siboglinids) from the South China Sea. C. J. Glasby, Y.-L. Lee & P.-W. Hsueh. Pp. 178-234. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz178-234.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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New records of peanut worms (Sipuncula) from Singapore. P.-W. Hsueh & K. S. Tan Pp. 235-240. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz235-240.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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A checklist of the barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica) of Singapore and neighbouring waters. D. S. Jones & A. M. Hosie Pp. 241-311. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz241-311.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Designation of neotypes for Cyrtophium orientale Dana, 1853; Podocerus brasiliensis (Dana, 1853) and P. cristatus(Thomson, 1879) and the description of a new species Podocerus cyrenensis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Podoceridae). L. E. Hughes. Pp. 312-330. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz312-330.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Re-description of the fish parasitic “tongue biter” Cymothoa rhina Schioedte & Meinert, 1884 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) from Singapore. N. L. Bruce, M. B. Martin, K. A. Hadfield & B. F. Nowak Pp. 331-342. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz331-342.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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<b>The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2016 Supplement No. 34 (Part II of II)</b><br />
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The Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey: Singapore Strait International Workshop (2013) (Part II of II)</div>
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Edited by: Tan Koh Siang & Linda Goh<br />
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COVER [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbzCover2.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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CONTENTS Pp. i-ii [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbzContents2.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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An updated and annotated checklist of marine and brackish caridean shrimps of Singapore (Crustacea, Decapoda). A. Anker & S. De Grave. Pp. 343-454. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz343-454.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Results of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey International Workshops 2012 and 2013: Stomatopod Crustacea.S. T. Ahyong Pp. 455-469. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz455-469.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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A new species of land hermit crab in the genus Coenobita Latreille, 1829 from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, previously confused with C. cavipes Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobitidae). D. L. Rahayu, H.-T. Shih & P. K. L. Ng Pp. 470-488. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz470-488.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Squat lobsters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) from Singapore, with description of a new species of the genus Galathea Fabricius, 1793. C.-W. Lin & M. Osawa Pp. 489-498. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz489-498.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Revision of Polyonyx pedalis Nobili, 1906 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae), with descriptions of three new species. M. Osawa & P. K. L. Ng Pp. 499-518. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz499-518.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Nursia tohae, a new species of coral rubble mimic crab (Crustacea: Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from the Philippines and Singapore P. K. L. Ng & H. Komatsu Pp. 519-527. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz519-527.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Shell-bearing gastropod molluscs of the Singapore Strait. K. Sanpanich & S. K. Tan. Pp. 528-538. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz528-538.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Lucinid bivalves of Singapore and their relationships (Bivalvia: Lucinidae). E. A. Glover, S. T. Williams & J. D. Taylor Pp. 539-565. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz539-565.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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An updated checklist of the cephalopods of the South China Sea. M. D. Norman, J. Nabhitabhata & C. C. Lu Pp. 566-592. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz566-592.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Checklist of Singapore Bryozoa and Entoprocta. K. J. Tilbrook & D. P. Gordon. Pp. 593-603. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz593-603.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Bryozoa of the South China Sea—an overview. D. P. Gordon Pp. 604-618. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz604-618.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Brittle stars of Ophiodermatidae and Ophiolepididae (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiurida: Ophiurina) collected from the Singapore Strait. T. Fujita Pp. 619-626. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz619-626.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Extant Crinoidea (Echinodermata) of Singapore. C. G. Messing & T. S. Tay. Pp. 627-658. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz627-658.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Crinoid diversity in the subtidal non-coral reef habitats of Singapore. T. S. Tay & J. K. Y. Low Pp. 659-665. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz659-665.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) collected from the Singapore Strait. J. Y. Ong, I. Wirawati & H. P. S. Wong Pp. 666-717. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz666-717.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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State of knowledge of ascidian diversity in South China Sea and new records for Singapore. S. S. C. Lee, J. Y. H. Chan, S. L. M. Teo & G. Lambert. Pp. 718-743. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz718-743.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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An updated checklist of the gobioid fishes of Singapore. H. K. Larson, Z. Jaafar & K. K. P. Lim Pp. 744-757. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement34/S34rbz744-757.pdf">pdf</a>]</div>
Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-10812085849978107552015-08-14T11:22:00.003+08:002015-08-14T17:22:11.627+08:00The Northern Expedition: what we foundThe results of the Northern Expedition are published in <a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/index.php/supplements?id=349">The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2015 Supplement No. 31</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBupI12HM460VxkmYqYkBKRJGE9rQgLCClESjW34wiGwZM9vUkF0S5vlXvA6iAtZIZh6xQgHtlPta6N9RSwSdr8GBo-Hahe8ga7tuyLbCg4GbzXHv1tyqHFKCs-lvXYa58e0B9HdZji8/s1600/supplement31cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBupI12HM460VxkmYqYkBKRJGE9rQgLCClESjW34wiGwZM9vUkF0S5vlXvA6iAtZIZh6xQgHtlPta6N9RSwSdr8GBo-Hahe8ga7tuyLbCg4GbzXHv1tyqHFKCs-lvXYa58e0B9HdZji8/s400/supplement31cover.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>With lots of new finds from slugs to seaweeds, sea cucumbers to sea anemones, lots of crabs and other critters! Some of these will be featured on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549?fref=ts">Mega Marine Survey facebook page</a> in the coming weeks.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2015 Supplement No. 31</b><br />
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The Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey: Johor Straits International Workshop (2012)<br />
Edited by: Tan Koh Siang & Linda Goh<br />
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COVER [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbzcover.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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CONTENTS Pp. i – iii [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbzcontents.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Taking stock of Singapore’s marine life: the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey Johor Straits International Workshop 2012. Tan K. S., Koh K. S. & L. Goh. Pp. 1-6. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz001-006.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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The first report of the parasitic red alga <i>Gracilaria babae</i> (Rhodophyta: Gracilariaceae) from Singapore Ng P. K., Lim P. E. & Phang S. M. Pp. 7-15. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz007-015.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Genetic variation in G<i>racilaria tenuistipitata</i> (Rhodophyta) from northern Singapore and neighbouring countries. Song S. L., Lim P. E., Poong S. W. & Phang S. M. Pp. 16-23. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz016-023.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Three new records of dinoflagellates in Singapore’s coastal waters, with observations on environmental conditions associated with microalgal growth in the Johor Straits. S. C. Y. Leong, Lim L. P., Chew S. M., J. W. K. Kok & S. L. M. Teo. Pp. 24-36. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz024-036.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Two new records of <i>Geodia </i>(Porifera: Astrophorida: Geodiidae) from the Johor Straits, Singapore. Lim S. C. Pp. 37-43. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz037-043.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of Singapore: shallow water species known also from the Indian subcontinent. D. G. Fautin, R. Tan, N. W. L. Yap, Tan S. H., A. Crowther, R. Goodwill, K. Sanpanich & Tay Y. C. Pp. 44-59. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz044-059.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Penis fencing, spawning, parental care and embryonic development in the cotylean flatworm <i>Pseudoceros indicus</i> (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Singapore. Chim C. K., R. S. L. Ong & Gan B. Q.. Pp. 60-67. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz060-067.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Two new free-living marine nematode species from an intertidal sandy-rocky shore on Pulau Ubin, Singapore with a key to the valid species of the genera <i>Prooncholaimus </i>and <i>Acanthonchus</i>. Chen C. A., Nguyen D. T. & N. Smol. Pp. 68-74. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz068-074.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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A new cryptic species of <i>Neanthes </i>(Annelida: Phyllodocida: Nereididae) from Singapore confused with <i>Neanthes glandicincta </i>Southern, 1921 and <i>Ceratonereis (Composetia) burmensis </i>(Monro, 1937). Lee Y. L. & C. J. Glasby.. Pp. 75-95. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz075-095.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Halacaridae (Acari) amongst the epiflora and fauna on trunks, branches, roots and pneumatophores on the coast of Singapore: A survey. I. Bartsch. Pp. 96-138. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz096-138.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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RA checklist of Amphipoda (Crustacea) collected from the mudflats of Pulau Ubin, Singapore. K. N. White. Pp. 139-142. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz139-142.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Two new species of symbiotic copepods from sea pens (Anthozoa: Octocorallina: Pennatulacea) collected in the Johor Straits, Singapore. Uyeno D.. Pp. 143-151. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz143-151.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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An overview of the marine Isopoda (Crustacea) of Singapore. N. L. Bruce & H. P. S. Wong. Pp. 152-168. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz152-168.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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The penaid prawns of the Straits of Johor: Preliminary results.T. Upanoi. Pp. 169-181. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz169-181.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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New record and new species of the hermit crab genus <i>Diogenes </i>Dana, 1851 (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from Singapore.D. L. Rahayu. Pp. 182-192. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz182-192.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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<i>Neorhynchoplax venusta,</i> a new species of hymenosomatid crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from Singapore. P. K. L. Ng. Pp. 193-198. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz193-198.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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The taxonomy of five species of <i>Episesarma</i> De Man, 1895 in Singapore (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae). Lee B. Y., Ng N. K. & P. K. L. Ng. Pp. 199-215. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz199-215.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Notes on the taxonomy and ecology of <i>Labuanum politum</i> (De Man, 1887) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Sesarmidae), an obligate arboreal crab on the nipah palm, Nypa fruticans (Arecales: Arecaceae). P. K. L. Ng, Lee B. Y. & Tan H. H.. Pp. 216-225. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz216-225.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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<i>Sacoglossa</i> (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) from northern coasts of Singapore. K. R. Jensen. Pp. 226-249. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz226-249.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Spawning observed in a specimen of the shelled sacoglossan <i>Lobiger viridis</i> Pease, 1863 from Singapore (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia). K. R. Jensen & R. S. L. Ong. Pp. 250-254. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz250-254.pdf">pdf</a>] [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/rbz/Lobiger01.wmv">Video 1</a>] [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/rbz/Lobiger02.wmv">Video 2</a>] [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/rbz/Lobiger03.wmv">Video 3</a>]<br />
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Bryozoa from the Straits of Johor, Singapore, with the description of new species. K. J. Tilbrook & D. P. Gordon. Pp. 255-263. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz255-263.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Preliminary list of ophiuroids (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) collected from the Johor Straits, Singapore. Fujita T. & Irimura S.. Pp. 264-272. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz264-272.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Johor Straits, Singapore. Ong J. Y. & H. P. S. Wong. Pp. 273-291. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz273-291.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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New tropical caudinid and synaptid sea cucumbers from the Johor Straits (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). P. M. O’Loughlin & Ong J. Y.. Pp. 292-302. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz292-302.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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Fishes of the Eastern Johor Strait. Ng H. H., Tan H. H., K. K. P. Lim, W. Ludt & P. Chakrabarty. Pp. 303-337. [<a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement31/S31rbz303-337.pdf">pdf</a>]<br />
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The expedition was also featured in the Straits Times:<br />
<b>17 species of invertebrates found in northern coast, and researchers expect to find more</b><br />
Audrey Tan <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/living-treasure-trove-under-the-sea">Straits Times</a> 14 Aug 15; (also on <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2015/08/living-treasure-trove-under-sea.html">wildsingapore news</a>)<br />
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Coral reefs hugging Singapore's southern coast are home to a great diversity of marine life, but they are not the only undersea palaces here.<br />
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New research has uncovered a living treasure trove in lesser-known marine habitats.<br />
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Seventeen species of invertebrates (animals without backbones) new to science have been discovered in Singapore's northern shores - and researchers are expecting to find more.<br />
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"Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world, yet we are still able to find new species, and a diversity of new species, in our waters," said Dr Lena Chan, director of the National Parks Board (NParks) National Biodiversity Centre.<br />
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"The great species diversity can be attributed to the varied ecosystems existing in Singapore, which are inter-linked, since some animals inhabit different ecosystems at their various life stages."<br />
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The new finds include a sea cucumber less than 2cm long, a 4cm polychaete (worm), and a 2mm gastropod (snail).<br />
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The discoveries are part of Singapore's first Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey led by NParks. It roped in researchers from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and aimed, for the first time, to get a clear picture of sea life here.<br />
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As part of the survey, NParks and NUS organised a three-week workshop on Pulau Ubin in late 2012 to study the marine life of the Johor Strait. There, the shores are characterised by mangroves, mudflats and sandy shores, largely due to sheltered conditions and the influx of sediment-laden freshwater from rivers into the Johor Strait.<br />
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Thirty-one sites were surveyed, and some 12,000 specimens were collected. These are being kept at TMSI and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and many are still being processed.<br />
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TMSI senior research fellow Tan Koh Siang said that new nematodes (roundworms) were among the more exciting finds as there has been little research on Singapore's marine meiofauna - complex multi-cellular animals generally less than 1mm in size.<br />
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"Because meiofauna have high turnover rates, they may act as good sentinels of environmental change, and we are keen to pursue this further," he said.<br />
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Unlike the more open waters of the Singapore Strait in the south, the marine environment up north is comparatively sheltered. The 50km-long Johor Strait separates Singapore from Malaysia, and is only 2km wide at its broadest. Down south, Singapore is separated from Batam by 15km of water, and experiences significant water exchanges.<br />
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Another difference between the two marine environments is salinity. The Johor Strait receives freshwater from rivers in Johor, whereas the Singapore Strait is saltier.<br />
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"Some organisms, such as kinds of sponges, snails and fish, have flexible physiologies and there are certainly species that can be found in both the Johor and Singapore straits," he noted. "But it is clear that the composition of species, taken in total, is different in the Johor and Singapore strait."<br />
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For example, while coral reefs thrive in southern waters, they do not seem to do as well in the north due to the fluctuating salinities and heavier sedimentation there. Corals need sunlight to thrive but sediment suspended in the water column blocks the light.<br />
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The sedimentation has also led to deposits on Singapore's coast, forming the mudflats and sandflats characteristic of the northern shores.<br />
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Researchers found many different types of polychaetes in the mudflats, and a variety of gastropods and molluscs in mangroves, said Ms Linda Goh, NParks' deputy director of the biodiversity information and policy division at the National Biodiversity Centre.<br />
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"The mudflats and mangroves are important habitats for birds, which feed on these organisms," she said.<br />
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But species recognition is only the first step in understanding more about our marine habitats, Dr Tan added. Delving into the ecology, diet, reproduction, interactions with other species, larval dispersal and settlement is the next step, he explained.<br />
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"Despite being small and constantly disturbed by coastal development, Singapore still has numerous small pockets of different marine habitats that are used by different species," he said. "It is important that we recognise and define these habitats in detail, so we can manage and conserve them properly."<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47d4WcY_TLAkU0qFMILMsPgVM1Qg8UOg2yysPlmICKz2YUdFaSCaz-58So4YUDs2sztAnDymUjowhEolhzAsS3qZ73UIDBvGKbGcenwxOMBdQ0Up6y9-gjmQ4bNdLVa6RNPYVqkEMIOU/s1600/st_20150814_janaumarine_1598988.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47d4WcY_TLAkU0qFMILMsPgVM1Qg8UOg2yysPlmICKz2YUdFaSCaz-58So4YUDs2sztAnDymUjowhEolhzAsS3qZ73UIDBvGKbGcenwxOMBdQ0Up6y9-gjmQ4bNdLVa6RNPYVqkEMIOU/s400/st_20150814_janaumarine_1598988.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Marine worms wriggle their way into teacher's heart</b><br />
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/marine-worms-wriggle-their-way-into-teachers-heart">Straits Times</a> 14 Aug 15;<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhoj0C1a6jtLDou7oZXsNS5Pph603hLXxDA95jBrPFLOylheufZGwo6E6FIYJK1pPcHEgYYD-vVxkPvf_97YmLlypLTFoU3whTZ9MHyIES3lr-yZGCwToMQw3UIw5kA5qBv2ULJoebiA/s1600/st_20150814_janau_1598558.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhoj0C1a6jtLDou7oZXsNS5Pph603hLXxDA95jBrPFLOylheufZGwo6E6FIYJK1pPcHEgYYD-vVxkPvf_97YmLlypLTFoU3whTZ9MHyIES3lr-yZGCwToMQw3UIw5kA5qBv2ULJoebiA/s400/st_20150814_janau_1598558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Teacher Heng Pei Yan, 29, sorting through samples collected during an expedition to survey Singapore’s shores.<br />
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Many may squirm at being knee-deep in mud and handling worms, but teacher Heng Pei Yan, 29, could not have been happier doing so.<br />
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As one of the 270 volunteers involved in a three-week workshop on Pulau Ubin to study the marine plants and animals in the Johor Strait in 2012, the passionate marine enthusiast had to process marine worms. This involved removing the tubes which the worms lived in and preserving them in chemicals so scientists could study them later.<br />
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"The removal of worm tubes was the most challenging task as some worms are very small and have small tubes," she said. "It required patience, steady hands and staring through a microscope."<br />
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Ms Heng, who has been involved in marine conservation work since 2009, also helped scientists from the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) sort through specimens collected from dredging surveys.<br />
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Dr Tan Koh Siang, senior research fellow from the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute, said the volunteers played a crucial role.<br />
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"Not only did they help to collect material from various sites by going out with the scientists, but they also helped wash and sort the specimens - a time-consuming but necessary task - so scientists could immediately see what was collected."<br />
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Before the workshop, Ms Heng was already volunteering actively with nature group Naked Hermit Crabs, leading groups on walks to the Chek Jawa wetlands.<br />
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But when she read about various animals found during earlier parts of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey, she wanted to do more.<br />
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"What wowed me was that despite most of our coastline being reclaimed, the marine animals somehow managed to find their way back to settle.<br />
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"The diversity may not be as large as what Singapore used to have, but it is the resilience of the animals, their reappearance and their choice of location that make me curious to know more about them," said Ms Heng.<br />
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"I felt that this was a great opportunity for someone like me, without a biology background, to experience fieldwork and learn more about our marine life."<br />
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Dr Lena Chan, director of NParks National Biodiversity Centre, said such citizen science efforts could help raise awareness about Singapore's marine life.<br />
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"If people don't know the ecosystems and the species within them, they wouldn't know why they need to be conserved," she said.<br />
<br />
Audrey TanRia Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-55715572524104962842014-10-13T15:10:00.003+08:002014-10-13T15:17:22.946+08:00Volunteer divers invited to join the Mega Marine SurveyVolunteer to dive with the Mega Marine Survey! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Toh Chay Hoon on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152727421073713&set=a.10152727412268713.1073741911.619308712&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xaf1%2Ft31.0-8%2F1795453_10152727421073713_8051084660187380915_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xpa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F10599390_10152727421073713_8051084660187380915_n.jpg%3Foh%3D44e980e5316b53f7c9dc08b554841143%26oe%3D54ADFA41%26__gda__%3D1421716311_c18a2552e29dae751c857263becdb794&size=2048%2C1367">facebook</a><br />
during a Mega Marine Survey dive<u><br />
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Dives in Jan-Feb 2015 are now open for registration! Registration closes on 14 Nov 2014. <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Dive surveys in the Southern islands of Singapore will be conducted from January 2015 to February 2015. Each dive survey will consist of four teams (comprising one research diver and one dive volunteer). Volunteers can be involved in a range of dive activities and additional training is not required as long as the criteria are met.<br />
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Register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ" style="color: #cc0000;">this form</a> and you'll be invited to join the Mega Marine Survey mailing list which has more information on the dive activities and how to sign up.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-47977178033382322432013-08-29T11:03:00.002+08:002013-08-29T11:03:43.672+08:00Diving for Treasure: Singapore Style - a video clip of the Southern ExpeditionA video clip of the Southern Expedition is now online on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UR43uBh910">Shell YouTube channel</a>.<br />
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It features some of the key activities at the Southern Expedition.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The dredge surveys of the bottom of the sea in Singapore were one of the highlights of the Expedition.<br />
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And scientists having a look at some of the finds during a dredge survey.<br />
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The dive surveys are also featured with glimpses of what we can find in our waters.<br />
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Dr Zeehan Jaafar speaks about how rare and important this Expedition is.<br />
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Tay Ywee Chieh also explains how and why tissue samples are taken of the animals found during the Expedition.<br />
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Dr JC Mendoza explains how he became a marine biologist and some of the challenges of the Expedition. <br />
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Using the "jabby pump" to find critters, Dr JC and Dr Arthur Anker.<br />
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Prof Charles Messing shares about the exciting diversity of feather stars that can be found in Singapore.<br />
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Lots of work goes on well after the field trips. Rene Ong at the station taking photos of tiny things.<br />
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Thanks to Chandi and her team for filming during the Expedition and to Shell for sponsoring this video clip. Here's Chandi and her crew looking with morbid fascination at a basket full of Diadema sea urchins.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/8936130307/" title="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition by wildsingapore, on Flickr"><img alt="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition" height="295" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/8936130307_50897d7ef1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
They took lots of footage, and of course not everything ended up in the clip. Dr Zeehan being filmed.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/8948765582/" title="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition by wildsingapore, on Flickr"><img alt="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition" height="295" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/8948765582_739552183e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Prof Daphne Fautin being filmed looking for tiny anemones on our our rocky shore.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/8936706338/" title="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition by wildsingapore, on Flickr"><img alt="Mega Marine Survey Southern Expedition" height="224" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8936706338_9acd31520e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the video clip on the Shell Youtube channel<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3UR43uBh910" width="400"></iframe><br />Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-31508593309219194122013-08-15T12:10:00.001+08:002013-08-15T12:10:12.945+08:00Mega Marine Survey featured in Nature of a City The <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/">Mega Marine Survey</a> and the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/search/label/Southern%20Expedition">Southern Expedition</a> (14:18 - 19:00) are featured in <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/tv/tvshows/documentaries/nature-of-a-city/772688.html">Nature of a City</a> a Channel NewsAsia documentary. With Dr Tan Koh Siang speaking during a dredging survey.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/cj.htm"></a> <br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/cj.htm">Chek Jawa</a> is also featured with Dr Shawn Lum of the Nature Society (Singapore) and Chek Jawa volunteer Choo Yi Feng speaking about their experiences (8:40 - 14:17).<br />
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And lots more about other biodiversity issues as well as NParks' work. See the <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/tv/tvshows/documentaries/nature-of-a-city/772688.html">entire documentary online</a> on Channel NewsAsia<br />
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Thanks to Rene Ong for highlighting this clip.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-11696479298712287422013-07-16T10:06:00.000+08:002013-07-16T10:06:28.490+08:00"Small stuff" at the Southern Expedition and why we should careWhen asked why he was interested in bryozoans, Dr Kevin Tilbrook of the Queensland Museum joked: "Isn't everyone?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Aw673jvg4tR5UOrIexh-mEIPosRPlR0E8BpYgLBfDqmuOoirz8_ksepWaa22oJHtmpAERPhQPk9l4Ksqd9Xl3C1rwYMYkbHk8cIkKX9w8oUu_J2CFf9OURyRxaVX5Sj1gbYrdFyrps/s1600/gracechua1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Aw673jvg4tR5UOrIexh-mEIPosRPlR0E8BpYgLBfDqmuOoirz8_ksepWaa22oJHtmpAERPhQPk9l4Ksqd9Xl3C1rwYMYkbHk8cIkKX9w8oUu_J2CFf9OURyRxaVX5Sj1gbYrdFyrps/s400/gracechua1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Grace Chua has captured Dr Kevin's humour that many at the Southern Expedition appreciated (and miss). She also explored why we should care about small stuff that people often overlook, featuring some of the amazing animals encountered during the Mega Marine Survey expeditions.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Grace writes: "It was chance that drew Dr Tilbrook into studying bryozoans. He started out in the United Kingdom studying fossils, then moved to the tropics where they are less well-studied, to look at live ones. Bryozoans, swaying gently in an ocean current, might look like corals, but they are colonies of tiny animals, each with their own organs and digestive systems. In the ecosystem, they provide food for other animals, and researchers are fascinated by their diverse range of shapes and forms. But more importantly, because they fossilise, they can provide key evidence that swathes of land were once under water millions of years ago."<br />
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"In fact, those in Singapore have never been studied before. During a dredge this year, Dr Tilbrook found "the whole seafloor covered with bryozoans - not what I expected at all". Singapore's water tends to be clouded with sediments, but fast currents might provide the clearer water bryozoans prefer."<br />
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Grace also wrote: "Dr Niel Bruce, also of the Queensland Museum, was lured into studying tropical isopods as an undergraduate on "false pretences". "There was one project that said 'Taxonomy of isopods of the Red Sea' - it sounded like you could go and do field work there." While this turned out to be untrue, his fascination with marine isopods carried on."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz_dXGrPM_g-JvVih-aEzlkJ8McK8bp5-WbcD24PJ-EZYMGtaGyHOpoN0-d-ihtS_znNY2O45RI-2ViBSjSJipulJTi0TbPyMVQNCfqYUrW__mKcwy24n-9HBeFx1cb3zjtN2cynCp0g/s1600/gracechua4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz_dXGrPM_g-JvVih-aEzlkJ8McK8bp5-WbcD24PJ-EZYMGtaGyHOpoN0-d-ihtS_znNY2O45RI-2ViBSjSJipulJTi0TbPyMVQNCfqYUrW__mKcwy24n-9HBeFx1cb3zjtN2cynCp0g/s400/gracechua4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
"Isopods are mostly tiny, delicate crustaceans similar to woodlice. In the ocean, they are scavengers, and can serve as a barometer of water quality and habitat disturbance. In an expedition here earlier this year, he found Singapore has some 60 to 70 species - most of which have never been scientifically documented. <br />
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Dr Bruce said: "I don't want to just describe new species. You have to prioritise - new genus or form, or whether your finding extends a known species' range. You're looking for added value." Sometimes that value helps stave off an invasive species infestation. For example, ornamental fish from South America or other regions may carry isopod parasites. If they get into the Australian or Singaporean ornamental fish trade, "there's no saying what they would do", said Dr Bruce. So it's important to know what species those parasites might be, to work out what to do about them."<br /><br />Thanks to Grace Chua for highlighting these fascinating creatures and the Mega Marine Survey.<br />
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Full article: <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/07/sweating-small-stuff.html">Sweating the small stuff</a> Tiny creatures often play outsize ecological role, say scientists who study them by Grace Chua <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/sunday/premium/think/story/sweating-the-small-stuff-20130714">Straits Times</a> 14 Jul 13;Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-485576765796203332013-07-16T08:23:00.002+08:002013-07-16T08:23:58.197+08:00Mega Marine Survey at the Festival of BiodiversityThe Festival was an awesome explosion of fun for volunteers of the <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2013/07/meet-marine-volunteers-of-singapore.html">marine community</a> and fellow nature lovers.<br />
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President Tony Tan visited the Festival and we take the opportunity to share about the important aspects of our biodiversity. Heng Pei Yan managed to get a smile out of him by showing him how <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/mammals/dugong.htm">the dugong</a> leaves a feeding trail in our seagrass meadows.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Mega Marine Survey volunteers also played an important part in sharing about our marine biodiversity through games. Here's Tok Yin Xin having fun with the Seashore CSI trying to figure out what happened from the gruesome remains of sea creatures that we commonly find on the beach in Singapore. <br />
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Loh Kok Sheng also has fun with the kids at this game.<br />
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Tan Siew Khim, a regular at the Expeditions, also made it fun to learn with the seashore matching game.<br />
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Tan Shiao Ying also joined the games fun to share with kids and families, working alongside Wong Ley Kun of the Naked Hermit Crabs.<br />
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And many many more volunteers helped out in various ways. Thank you!<br />
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More <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/07/highlights-of-festival-of-biodiversity.html">highlights of the Festival</a> on Ria's wild shores of singapore blog with links to more photos.<br />
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<br />Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-33244402894301598432013-06-13T10:12:00.003+08:002013-06-13T10:43:46.821+08:00Southern Expedition in the newsA slideshow of some happenings at the Southern Expedition is featured in <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/searching-coast-marine-life">Today Online</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZOTF1tGPm98AU448CoFnByrk7ji-DKB32mvjnMydoWtpDfXh53GA__G6JEC1X25Sn9pwDBUWlgoYtkY09nsaNqQ_nmYJZTKO9gR7lKIR2hqya3UR41SubicuOYcmBB-vW3j8pjMG_7g/s1600/mms1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZOTF1tGPm98AU448CoFnByrk7ji-DKB32mvjnMydoWtpDfXh53GA__G6JEC1X25Sn9pwDBUWlgoYtkY09nsaNqQ_nmYJZTKO9gR7lKIR2hqya3UR41SubicuOYcmBB-vW3j8pjMG_7g/s400/mms1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Don Wong <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/searching-coast-marine-life">Today Online</a> 13 Jun 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Much earlier, just after Minister Tan Chuan Jin's visit, there were also many media features about the Southern Expedition. Here's some highlights.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Don Wong <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/searching-coast-marine-life">Today Online</a> 13 Jun 13 shares a slideshow of photos of people at work in the article <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/06/searching-coast-for-marine-life.html">Searching the coast for marine life</a>. "From scooping for living specimens with a simple nylon net in the mudflats off Singapore’s coasts to peering through a high-powered microscope to determine whether a rare species is thriving in our waters once again, international and local scientists, aided by enthusiastic volunteers and students, tirelessly surveyed marine flora and fauna in the Straits of Singapore and the Southern islands over three weeks."<br />
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Immediately after the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/vips-visit-on-day-8-of-southern.html">VIP visit to the Southern Expedition by Minister Tan</a>, there was this great video clip about the Expedition on <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-marine-species-discovered-in-singapo/687834.html">Channel NewsAsia</a>.<br />
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Grace Chua <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/top-the-news/story/species-possibly-new-science-found-seas-here-20130528">Straits Times</a> 28 May 13 also featured <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">Species possibly new to science found in seas here</a>/ Some highlights from her article:<br />
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A thumb-size crab that has only six legs, another that shares a burrow with a worm and a sea anemone that looks as if it wears lipstick - these denizens of Singapore's seas could be completely new to science. <br />
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"The nicer thing than finding new species is finding old friends," said Professor Peter Ng, director of NUS' Tropical Marine Science Institute. For instance, a brightly patterned zebra crab not seen since the 1960s turned up last year at the islands south of Singapore.<br />
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The southern expedition is more challenging than the previous one to Singapore's northern seas and shores last October, said Prof Ng. The area surveyed this year, which spans from Jurong to Changi, is at least three times bigger than the northern region, and includes busy shipping lanes.<br />
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Will Singapore ever have a gazetted marine reserve? That is a complex issue, Prof Ng said. "I would say we are on the road towards a reserve. It depends a lot on the sentiments of the people." While the survey, which began in December 2010, will identify biodiversity hot spots that merit protection, he added, "once you set a reserve... we cannot backtrack after that".<br />
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Woo Sian Boon <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/more-marine-species-discovered-second-phase-expedition">Today Online</a> 28 May 13 in <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">More marine species discovered in second phase of expedition</a> reports: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ox1ecWxfNSPT9YRLMRnmHJlwYsE7yk4LryPtLM8aW-pIhKRhxWbzLL6dukSQ8JypOikuxtdvnc0csFJTZd3b4FTCZcibCXbbbtbXwQGbZqkdvtH6KYiRu4_8H99H1fyC9ZRy_2DOrNg/s1600/mms4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ox1ecWxfNSPT9YRLMRnmHJlwYsE7yk4LryPtLM8aW-pIhKRhxWbzLL6dukSQ8JypOikuxtdvnc0csFJTZd3b4FTCZcibCXbbbtbXwQGbZqkdvtH6KYiRu4_8H99H1fyC9ZRy_2DOrNg/s400/mms4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Woo Sian Boon <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/more-marine-species-discovered-second-phase-expedition">Today Online</a> 28 May 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Professor Peter Ng, Director of the NUS Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Tropical Marine Science Institute says: “It’s quite exciting because we are surveying places we have never gone to before. For example, we are dredging into the ‘Singapore Deeps’ just offshore (St John’s Island), and these are waters going down about 100m to 200m deep.”<br />
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NParks Deputy Chief Executive Officer Leong Chee Chiew the survey will aid in Singapore’s marine conservation efforts. “We will be better able to identify what to do in various areas of our seas. Because we know more, our efforts can be much more targeted and more effective,” he said. <br />
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Full text of articles on wildsingapore news<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">New marine species discovered in Singapore</a> Olivia Siong <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-marine-species-discovered-in-singapo/687834.html">Channel NewsAsia</a> 27 May 13;</li>
<li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">Species possibly new to science found in seas here</a>, Researchers on S'pore's first marine life census hope to discover more by Grace Chua <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/top-the-news/story/species-possibly-new-science-found-seas-here-20130528">Straits Times</a> 28 May 13; </li>
<li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">More marine species discovered in second phase of expedition</a> Woo Sian Boon <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/more-marine-species-discovered-second-phase-expedition">Today Online</a> 28 May 13;</li>
<li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">Over 100 new marine species discovered in Singapore</a> Fabian Koh <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/over-100-new-marine-species-discovered-singapore-20130527">Straits Times</a> 27 May 13;</li>
<li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html">More than 100 new records and discoveries of marine species in Singapore</a>. More possible discoveries from marine biodiversity expedition now underway at Southern Islands.<br />
<a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_news&task=view&id=329&Itemid=247">NParks media release</a> 27 May 13;</li>
<li><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/06/searching-coast-for-marine-life.html">Searching the coast for marine life</a> Don Wong <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/searching-coast-marine-life">Today Online</a> 13 Jun 13;</li>
</ul>The Mega Marine Survey will continue! With other smaller scale surveys and dredges throughout the year. You CAN be a part of this. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a> and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey. <br />
<ul></ul>Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-35567307486535406152013-06-10T08:38:00.002+08:002013-06-10T08:38:25.051+08:00Video clip of "Copepods -- an introduction to the 'Insects of the Sea'" by Prof Rony Huys Thanks to <a href="http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/">Andy Dinesh</a>, here's a video clip of the awesome talk by Prof Rony Huys on one of the most numerous animals on the planet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmHAV7hROU6HewNjAGFfTj5owowoTUjt2eYHwmiNQ-9YnLb3fflMqYFU62iKcsvVo3RQYV_ocSs_LPJCuPwtlAS1j4itRjmEoX3K-1aBTg-2omxxYMfnOcszTZePwuH6EFZ5UUSSayFw/s1600/copepods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmHAV7hROU6HewNjAGFfTj5owowoTUjt2eYHwmiNQ-9YnLb3fflMqYFU62iKcsvVo3RQYV_ocSs_LPJCuPwtlAS1j4itRjmEoX3K-1aBTg-2omxxYMfnOcszTZePwuH6EFZ5UUSSayFw/s400/copepods.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
From his talk, we learnt that copepods are indeed sexy, delightful and endlessly fascinating animals.<br />
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<a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/06/6-jun-thu-wallace-lectures-copepods.html">The talk</a> is part of the Wallace Lectures and Prof Rony is in Singapore for the Southern Expedition of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey of Singapore.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/67976338?color=4bd620" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/67976338">Copepoda - an introduction to the 'insects of the sea'</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sgbeachbum">SgBeachBum</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Thanks to Andy for patiently filming with two cameras and processing the clip so quickly!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuoxxf4CaXG7Er0YbkLG8dvbYWE27-qZ0FCC_HhBHs_AB5RoSOLgwE1o0HKmfLy8aomzZsT4uq8x2WfBw2-MghFNGGVbQefTnm-dEcwby1H9jOdXoh4RQVAbrMs6uYtOzj2kt95EZUl4/s1600/andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuoxxf4CaXG7Er0YbkLG8dvbYWE27-qZ0FCC_HhBHs_AB5RoSOLgwE1o0HKmfLy8aomzZsT4uq8x2WfBw2-MghFNGGVbQefTnm-dEcwby1H9jOdXoh4RQVAbrMs6uYtOzj2kt95EZUl4/s400/andy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also did a bit of live-tweeting of Prof Rony's talk. I apologise for the mispellings due to fat fingers on tiny phone and autocorrect.<br />
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<script language="javascript" src="//storify.com/wildsingapore/6-jun-thu-the-wallace-lectures-copepods-an-introdu.js" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/wildsingapore/6-jun-thu-the-wallace-lectures-copepods-an-introdu" target="_blank">View the story "6 Jun (Thu): The Wallace Lectures "Copepods -- an introduction to the 'Insects of the Sea'" by Prof Rony Huys " on Storify</a>]</noscript>Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-14051063161115364082013-06-07T22:29:00.002+08:002013-06-07T22:37:13.593+08:00Southern Expedition dive photos and stories by Debby NgThanks to Debby Ng of the <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/">Hantu Bloggers</a> for awesome dive photos and dive stories at the Southern Expedition!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdgGlinqY_Wn6-f6bVzJzjOf0fkZeCOqrLWQMSfEBOMOVdYyUqkPO5spfxF4X-HZIdwicS5b5DSeeAtPRRGlI_YLlT9la9OPiRfBAKcPhjwGHzimek2C9GW8zo1-Zny-zjm6Cyn8e3eg/s1600/debbyng2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdgGlinqY_Wn6-f6bVzJzjOf0fkZeCOqrLWQMSfEBOMOVdYyUqkPO5spfxF4X-HZIdwicS5b5DSeeAtPRRGlI_YLlT9la9OPiRfBAKcPhjwGHzimek2C9GW8zo1-Zny-zjm6Cyn8e3eg/s400/debbyng2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/surveying-the-deep/">Debby Ng</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In her post <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/surveying-the-deep/">Surveying the Deep</a> Debby shares: "Apart from getting to dive in areas that leisure divers do not frequent, it was a real eyeopener to be diving with a diverse group of scientists from around the world who have such varied interests and expertise!" <br />
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<a name='more'></a>In her post <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/cryptic-critters-on-whips-crinoids-and-dirt/">Cryptic Critters on Whips, Crinoids, and in the Dirt</a>, Debby explains: "Not only are we on an expedition, we’re on an expedition in really turbid waters. Losing your buddy is a given. But you won’t be able to do any work at all if you lose your equipment. So the less things you have to focus on getting a grip on, the better. In an attempt to keep his hands free (and look like a Gearhead) Dr Tan Heok Hui, who’s a fish biologist with the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity and Research, dons his helmet fitted with light and camera for our first dive at Pulau Hantu!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPArJ27Xgy4U4TkDFYQfW0umSQW0sJp1ABHpPrYuron_7ClZnjaX9FyKNBnPpLZEX3U_-cYRuoneuHmtFGWwsf-lruCxiPvwP8iltCceDVR4oMTqByRK9m4-a5M2HXwPzUlKjqRLoN0I/s1600/debbyng1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPArJ27Xgy4U4TkDFYQfW0umSQW0sJp1ABHpPrYuron_7ClZnjaX9FyKNBnPpLZEX3U_-cYRuoneuHmtFGWwsf-lruCxiPvwP8iltCceDVR4oMTqByRK9m4-a5M2HXwPzUlKjqRLoN0I/s400/debbyng1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/cryptic-critters-on-whips-crinoids-and-dirt/">Debby Ng</a>.</td></tr>
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In her post <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/a-macro-look-at-macro-life/">A Macro Look at Macro Life</a> Debby shares: "Rather than lamenting the limited underwater visibility, take advantage
of it! Our city reefs may not seem like much at first,
but it is evidently a prized habitat for many species of nudibranchs" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrYybSxprMpFUKCXmwXW97JLixh4yyRloU_suRTeOn772WZA2bnfvvun91AldWahwrK1qfxNIYo2x7pDs2mORSOhyphenhyphen0uUliK5rE9JtFFLOf6Cp0aIr7-vHSzdfNtOa5w3MkmRtb9-rfDg/s1600/debbyng3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrYybSxprMpFUKCXmwXW97JLixh4yyRloU_suRTeOn772WZA2bnfvvun91AldWahwrK1qfxNIYo2x7pDs2mORSOhyphenhyphen0uUliK5rE9JtFFLOf6Cp0aIr7-vHSzdfNtOa5w3MkmRtb9-rfDg/s400/debbyng3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/a-macro-look-at-macro-life/">Debby Ng</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Debby also uploaded lots of awesome photos that give us a glimpse of the marine life that can be seen diving Singapore's waters! Thank you Debby!<br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/jong.htm">Pulau Jong</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/kusu.htm">Kusu Island</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/tpt.htm">Terumbu Pempang Tengah</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/traya.htm">Terumbu Raya</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/hantu.htm">Pulau Hantu</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/kusu.htm">Kusu Island</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/kusu.htm">Kusu Island</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/hantu.htm">Pulau Hantu</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/tekukor.htm">Pulau Tekukor</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/sisters.htm">Big Sisters Island</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/hantu.htm">Pulau Hantu</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/tekukor.htm">Pulau Tekukor</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/semakau.htm">Pulau Semakau</a> and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/lazarus.htm">Lazarus Island</a><br />
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<br />Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-8740317578455858102013-06-06T16:37:00.003+08:002013-06-06T16:37:21.938+08:00The last day of the Southern ExpeditionToday we wind down the Expedition spending the entire day washing and washing, packing and packing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwptG-oQo3QSmxQZdtN6nUfefAicosy4W07QDSB9pEEAmRQLvjeky7zbVl0CWcdRGGVFIZteosMIny6hOrXMZK9YrU_i4ojnn6J2dss1ns2m7I6kshYMZYTHvMn5u6LlqY2lEFTJEKMvc/s1600/DSC07060m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwptG-oQo3QSmxQZdtN6nUfefAicosy4W07QDSB9pEEAmRQLvjeky7zbVl0CWcdRGGVFIZteosMIny6hOrXMZK9YrU_i4ojnn6J2dss1ns2m7I6kshYMZYTHvMn5u6LlqY2lEFTJEKMvc/s400/DSC07060m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's a last look at the people and happenings at Base Camp before the Expedition shuts down.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>At the Preservation Station, we have a last look at the colourful charts of marine life that guided us throughout the Expedition.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7VR2IwKsmQFCQFpQAvX6vHH8VpVFpIIahzBiZqmBtjuKNPd0L88PTBqROs_Ik65tn0YSfeIVFZCzBQcnmiAL4a6nOr5HV2TkO2o2qL1SI4DvX2NJvKCmm-LE0JgE_jjYSCAonkcDF_0/s1600/DSC07040m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7VR2IwKsmQFCQFpQAvX6vHH8VpVFpIIahzBiZqmBtjuKNPd0L88PTBqROs_Ik65tn0YSfeIVFZCzBQcnmiAL4a6nOr5HV2TkO2o2qL1SI4DvX2NJvKCmm-LE0JgE_jjYSCAonkcDF_0/s400/DSC07040m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Last minute preservation goes on, while stacks of preserved animals are packed away for safe transfer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckoWcpI8ylvZje7fJOYkwCjj-Y3rOk8eDVviKsAGhmk9vErGWGrLl_ELGmKehSE8c754bd5QW44cvlr0xxwZj0Z4hcrh4hjBg4Et4h9vcrHN8ITjYENg_z-IBRN0qsx0FYkiI7HtZaAA/s1600/DSC07102m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckoWcpI8ylvZje7fJOYkwCjj-Y3rOk8eDVviKsAGhmk9vErGWGrLl_ELGmKehSE8c754bd5QW44cvlr0xxwZj0Z4hcrh4hjBg4Et4h9vcrHN8ITjYENg_z-IBRN0qsx0FYkiI7HtZaAA/s400/DSC07102m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dr Kevin Tilbrook is still at work with his piles of bryozoan samples. Wow, I didn't know we had so many kinds of beautiful bryozoans in Singapore. Behind him Prof Charles Messing is well ahead in his packing up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXFRnjon1H05mFirDy2DDs4Lzex4Cz1WYmCqp-8LcfZ_V4Ssj7GXxkr2TtOmmAeuYh6DKpqYGowAYXNYq4X7muT39q-7nw3pRNiW2gMkwW8LrTQja42s8SCvlS1UOj-FvSMwESJjhFqU/s1600/DSC07042m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXFRnjon1H05mFirDy2DDs4Lzex4Cz1WYmCqp-8LcfZ_V4Ssj7GXxkr2TtOmmAeuYh6DKpqYGowAYXNYq4X7muT39q-7nw3pRNiW2gMkwW8LrTQja42s8SCvlS1UOj-FvSMwESJjhFqU/s400/DSC07042m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Out at the Sorting Shed, there's massive washing up going. With acres of tiny plastic vials, containers, trays, buckets and everything else in between. Washed and laid out to dry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIqPToPjp60YEhpRERkJbzRuQGInSD2e6DmuN-O5bCXimVZE1HiiJ0V-uR65FIlOJpCUiXD96KULBsrDs-3e4ZGZelihLe5EPZ8-su-zltMPl0rbfLatQMQmxlg3GFdT4kTvz1v1sVLE/s1600/DSC07049m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIqPToPjp60YEhpRERkJbzRuQGInSD2e6DmuN-O5bCXimVZE1HiiJ0V-uR65FIlOJpCUiXD96KULBsrDs-3e4ZGZelihLe5EPZ8-su-zltMPl0rbfLatQMQmxlg3GFdT4kTvz1v1sVLE/s400/DSC07049m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>All the caps are placed in a big pile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqXlDlBucxt88Y8Y29WYm6gltyG8em03SKV8I9OpuSD348AoFOJjX0A63wnAbSE66NFIHuCxPnpes87eI5u33lh9HGElbIrYDrY4pDS0EIgnk4tAqcoaTaw-VmNkXjIDH5iXhSABvK7Q/s1600/DSC07069m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqXlDlBucxt88Y8Y29WYm6gltyG8em03SKV8I9OpuSD348AoFOJjX0A63wnAbSE66NFIHuCxPnpes87eI5u33lh9HGElbIrYDrY4pDS0EIgnk4tAqcoaTaw-VmNkXjIDH5iXhSABvK7Q/s400/DSC07069m6.JPG" width="295" /></a></div>After they are dry, we had great fun tossing them into buckets by shape. We had so much fun, we wanted to pour out the caps and do it again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkaM03KcbLOfD1PFEQcHSBjfwF9eSjulXbyJGCsgG1gvQpWKMTBmArle11q2je47JXU5KDBF_3Czgj_3zFdIIwz-zts1AQqwdF_Dx5UcDOyBKbBE8xy3om_ichiMxzFWkb3fpWG55i3U/s1600/DSC07078m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkaM03KcbLOfD1PFEQcHSBjfwF9eSjulXbyJGCsgG1gvQpWKMTBmArle11q2je47JXU5KDBF_3Czgj_3zFdIIwz-zts1AQqwdF_Dx5UcDOyBKbBE8xy3om_ichiMxzFWkb3fpWG55i3U/s400/DSC07078m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Our last lunch together at the dining area. Many are going home today, with the rest leaving tomorrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41j0UJfdwEv5zNU_aM-MPnXZ_06LsfGNaofUJ6rSoO3qVoKk2_YK-Q78O7iaHBFc0xr5SelX4x9kznSnYlcEpRvsIA2iANxAjZYT_GlevUF0yx3BCpPoRrKVbWvxv9jORAYfcAgOBs9I/s1600/DSC07108m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41j0UJfdwEv5zNU_aM-MPnXZ_06LsfGNaofUJ6rSoO3qVoKk2_YK-Q78O7iaHBFc0xr5SelX4x9kznSnYlcEpRvsIA2iANxAjZYT_GlevUF0yx3BCpPoRrKVbWvxv9jORAYfcAgOBs9I/s400/DSC07108m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A nice group photo of some of the team of hardworking folks at the Sorting, Preservation, Cryo and Photo stations! Bravo! The Expedition would not have been possible without all of you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aafapOzXTbFFvlCIiaw_a9tel8Dr0_f7Ol1oOsYwL_cChyphenhyphenZgCzoXyGsOhUlgVQbjlDzsF8KwSxqN6L9ofNdjUj5d2Do3ktyUZd40WACXpWo6PfVL-08fyI8P8CuLNT3oyVZMdwliLhs/s1600/DSC07111m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aafapOzXTbFFvlCIiaw_a9tel8Dr0_f7Ol1oOsYwL_cChyphenhyphenZgCzoXyGsOhUlgVQbjlDzsF8KwSxqN6L9ofNdjUj5d2Do3ktyUZd40WACXpWo6PfVL-08fyI8P8CuLNT3oyVZMdwliLhs/s400/DSC07111m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dr Zeehan Jaafar shows me a photo of the new record goby that she found during the Expedition. Just one of the many discoveries and re-discoveries during the three weeks of intensive surveys. In the weeks ahead, we can look forward to learning more as the scientists study the finds, photographers process and upload their photos and video clips come online!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJt9r7zn6G-eiGMoINupyHVaqD5ARCzg20CbskduZ7AXqWs-EXnDcq87HWgDTgeyCBXwFvoVnHT36QVYsuYjmddizGEvb-NUqFnAlI-hsdVtZJFP88ZhR2jRN5zfNiPunwNrm9lbXIHg/s1600/DSC07026m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJt9r7zn6G-eiGMoINupyHVaqD5ARCzg20CbskduZ7AXqWs-EXnDcq87HWgDTgeyCBXwFvoVnHT36QVYsuYjmddizGEvb-NUqFnAlI-hsdVtZJFP88ZhR2jRN5zfNiPunwNrm9lbXIHg/s400/DSC07026m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A final farewell on the whiteboard, accompanied by Chim Chee Kong's wonderful cartoon creatures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliqfK6L68IY_U-8V6nzRTTiYCa0tbch62MZbhTM1K-9LUYWaFlxQmBacNR7Eambw0iNZgmgG1hnsGDM0Wv1IcJgj0JpaUFdkM-C_1PigDgAxr9BIk8ASGo6x87OL1UH5JUiNXjrZXLF4/s1600/DSC07089m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliqfK6L68IY_U-8V6nzRTTiYCa0tbch62MZbhTM1K-9LUYWaFlxQmBacNR7Eambw0iNZgmgG1hnsGDM0Wv1IcJgj0JpaUFdkM-C_1PigDgAxr9BIk8ASGo6x87OL1UH5JUiNXjrZXLF4/s320/DSC07089m6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Northern and Southern Expeditions are over and it will probably be a long long while before we conduct similar exercises.<br />
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But the Mega Marine Survey continues for a year or so, with other smaller scale surveys and dredges throughout the year. You CAN be a part of this. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a> and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-86926324306403048052013-06-06T07:58:00.003+08:002013-06-06T07:58:42.439+08:00Last field trips on Day 17 of the Southern ExpeditionThis is the last day for field trips. A bitter-sweet time when we savour every moment at the Expedition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoTv6RY735AsIXhJaMfe2wwt6UYiAZA4Q_ScdvcZHDxAyp0vvGa_c2GFnv0F4RSX57ou9b8YVKFNdM_lRmgnRwANxFggDx4n3AdtZkbl28FqtX-AKSqT5H8Zr4gSf7Vy0CMc8H7mB18c/s1600/DSC06758m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoTv6RY735AsIXhJaMfe2wwt6UYiAZA4Q_ScdvcZHDxAyp0vvGa_c2GFnv0F4RSX57ou9b8YVKFNdM_lRmgnRwANxFggDx4n3AdtZkbl28FqtX-AKSqT5H8Zr4gSf7Vy0CMc8H7mB18c/s400/DSC06758m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Heng Pei Yan</a> and I decide to hunt for shrimps at the lagoon next to the public jetty. It was a hot day, with the main city skyline and the greenery of Seringat-Kias on the horizon. There were also diving, dredging and mini-talks.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>When I arrive at Base Camp, I stop by the stations to see what happened the night before. The strange bivalves that burrow into rocks have extended their siphons! That would make a great photo of these bivalves that live in the bottom of the sea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO5Mi-UoDCm3FQHtdv7-_mokHkg6W9SQPxO3h-n0cI_ktdORhw7YxxcAKixIag3yw41nOQpOapHpqt0op695kiYicPX2R0k2Gpqjpy9DCxtDNrqcSWBhpsLk9W7J1MBDtG2IV8j-WSyE/s1600/130605southex17phone4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO5Mi-UoDCm3FQHtdv7-_mokHkg6W9SQPxO3h-n0cI_ktdORhw7YxxcAKixIag3yw41nOQpOapHpqt0op695kiYicPX2R0k2Gpqjpy9DCxtDNrqcSWBhpsLk9W7J1MBDtG2IV8j-WSyE/s400/130605southex17phone4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Another <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/carpilliidae/maculatus.htm">spotted reef crab</a> has been found. It appears we do not have many specimens of this in the museum, which is needed for proper study of the animals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1Rp-1GJ5O9nW6sbqHHB46UogIZvaK1LKkaQLtS-qrrKTi-vU8pAuH8pif60gPteDZR_eTVzPmYc8olKiJtJUlaN5CKKADTgpM042PwP87r-P4L_gogLYkp8HqDckkz6KADHW2VwtPow/s1600/130605southex17phone5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1Rp-1GJ5O9nW6sbqHHB46UogIZvaK1LKkaQLtS-qrrKTi-vU8pAuH8pif60gPteDZR_eTVzPmYc8olKiJtJUlaN5CKKADTgpM042PwP87r-P4L_gogLYkp8HqDckkz6KADHW2VwtPow/s400/130605southex17phone5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My first time seeing the beautiful Tapestry turban snail. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqTyxhUpekex63a_cBKpGeWQX94lh9iQKu88yiYDjchCMw3h8qJ_OnkSLQgy_p2e__jKXojet_dJqBwzKQJneVJD33UanWZF0jC_3EWQVWCrj7rvzPmgCwwcOn7G501ak8_dBT6UQrJs/s1600/130605southex17phone6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqTyxhUpekex63a_cBKpGeWQX94lh9iQKu88yiYDjchCMw3h8qJ_OnkSLQgy_p2e__jKXojet_dJqBwzKQJneVJD33UanWZF0jC_3EWQVWCrj7rvzPmgCwwcOn7G501ak8_dBT6UQrJs/s400/130605southex17phone6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There was also this sea urchin that has not been seen in Singapore for a long time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7mp2mLiQt2pGGvj85QAX_i_CPLjoHgLSHBG_VNWvAYN140iWqbfelcd9iEdOOOOB9Zk6rN3E8V9Wh_wH8fCAqMYStDheTpE4LgQRgIv9vb4vbMlp_RmeUgwUl6u6zmuJ7PqiW71zpMc/s1600/reneong3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7mp2mLiQt2pGGvj85QAX_i_CPLjoHgLSHBG_VNWvAYN140iWqbfelcd9iEdOOOOB9Zk6rN3E8V9Wh_wH8fCAqMYStDheTpE4LgQRgIv9vb4vbMlp_RmeUgwUl6u6zmuJ7PqiW71zpMc/s400/reneong3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Rene Ong.</td></tr>
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The night before, it seems <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kevin.tilbrook/posts/468885946527892">Dr Kevin Tilbrook</a> had been running a 'duck face' competition!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAehKa56ppokaZ7yU8cfWoRggzXemaMRB1RkIumGr8nAaXXYHqrfLciiSmO5N9c7SKnZctBQUJaJD3eX0Fd5CXNjo7aV-RFSDb5C3Wt42eLAH10WiT4ACW3Ip3wQUYj6e8MC28jq-lEbs/s1600/kevintilbrook.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAehKa56ppokaZ7yU8cfWoRggzXemaMRB1RkIumGr8nAaXXYHqrfLciiSmO5N9c7SKnZctBQUJaJD3eX0Fd5CXNjo7aV-RFSDb5C3Wt42eLAH10WiT4ACW3Ip3wQUYj6e8MC28jq-lEbs/s400/kevintilbrook.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by Dr Kevin Tilbrook.</td></tr>
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Then it's off to breakfast at the dining area. Koh Kwan Siong, who has been looking after us so well, is frying up eggs for everyone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaf0tWAA2EThaLt6DB8Od0nb3XNCwiGiRVp1a3uyNi8SHBE-sPg0NOZj2WWT__5wGDcIfgekXVSicvFGaeYbBxMUWxt1gz5iidGHaGs9CoPxljqreyT7w0Mzmu7v9fBO19SNFwAsd4aY/s1600/130605southex17phone3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaf0tWAA2EThaLt6DB8Od0nb3XNCwiGiRVp1a3uyNi8SHBE-sPg0NOZj2WWT__5wGDcIfgekXVSicvFGaeYbBxMUWxt1gz5iidGHaGs9CoPxljqreyT7w0Mzmu7v9fBO19SNFwAsd4aY/s400/130605southex17phone3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The St. John's Ultimate, built by Pei Yan. I can feel my arteries hardening just looking at it. I ate something similar and I must say it was delicious and kept me going through field trip until lunchtime.<br />
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The last dredge trip starts off soon after breakfast. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/Siluriform">Paul Ng</a> we get a glimpse of some of the highlights of the trip.<br />
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The NUS Research Vessel Galaxea has been doing all the dredging throughout the Expedition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWCWYeW1sxMGBHEV7yCDoQbzK1o_kFmAy5vcWbp3lZgrmnvQ0RSxe9fX0AyrPMEPqC4AqRUbrJqDhRO2-a-xhrsx7d_yZ02bkd_MB8kE_qO2aV6HJ7qLHk4g0SHSg6TlS1hb5tQbLxS4/s1600/paul5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWCWYeW1sxMGBHEV7yCDoQbzK1o_kFmAy5vcWbp3lZgrmnvQ0RSxe9fX0AyrPMEPqC4AqRUbrJqDhRO2-a-xhrsx7d_yZ02bkd_MB8kE_qO2aV6HJ7qLHk4g0SHSg6TlS1hb5tQbLxS4/s400/paul5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Ng.</td></tr>
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Dr Bertrand, a deep sea expert, at one of the last dredges of the Southern Expedition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_flZj__DQrMbmMKKSWHbxD3HYzujnHBD_-8viKbYhFbpIi8LXnqE5oiw5CVnuQhjpKXqF4h4j4FyXSeQpthNjqYCvhg1JOpBh_xL5a9ZhBz7M0gWZC6gjtXDX9EglV9QbS3lPNEPFq6g/s1600/paul1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_flZj__DQrMbmMKKSWHbxD3HYzujnHBD_-8viKbYhFbpIi8LXnqE5oiw5CVnuQhjpKXqF4h4j4FyXSeQpthNjqYCvhg1JOpBh_xL5a9ZhBz7M0gWZC6gjtXDX9EglV9QbS3lPNEPFq6g/s400/paul1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Ng.</td></tr>
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Setting down the dredge looks easy but is dangerous work and requires experienced and patient people working in a team. Lim Swee Cheng is next to Dr Bertrand, with Chim Chee Kong handling the winch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLwxR9T1Oiza-BG1XbLC_fus6xemBVSYW6AJPWuGtyBxEsbAkaMPJm2jkzkd9-EbOG1bfLsYuW5mP-ELLhFlLJ6azfE1SFyjDhE7i_kv6VUQwTO4pzC-iDOE3STxGGwvSR1OUuaHiP-U/s1600/paul4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLwxR9T1Oiza-BG1XbLC_fus6xemBVSYW6AJPWuGtyBxEsbAkaMPJm2jkzkd9-EbOG1bfLsYuW5mP-ELLhFlLJ6azfE1SFyjDhE7i_kv6VUQwTO4pzC-iDOE3STxGGwvSR1OUuaHiP-U/s400/paul4.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Ng.</td></tr>
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Once the dredge comes up, everyone helps to quickly sort out the animals so they are preserved for the long trip back to Base Camp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7caZkJ3C20KKmdTRhbmpmoppQDzYtAh9EaoKphh80dy_DxpElY-camuQtLv79lckTZWZtOHT-I2d0EXAnSfPelZei6SyupRQKxGa5VQI0H3eVVqf-42X5jsaL99AZdk2tLsfpTgCSX0/s1600/paul3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7caZkJ3C20KKmdTRhbmpmoppQDzYtAh9EaoKphh80dy_DxpElY-camuQtLv79lckTZWZtOHT-I2d0EXAnSfPelZei6SyupRQKxGa5VQI0H3eVVqf-42X5jsaL99AZdk2tLsfpTgCSX0/s400/paul3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Ng.</td></tr>
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Some amazing sponges found at the bottom of the sea in Singapore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05FSdGEna8-wbgJ2CawSNI1auA0-j545oqIGL2csXpRx66doBteTnlRahocWcVxKwTpjYFMDDEmkcX2PpdG5UnfdJH4q9Nopk8mzds4MQjo8jPHexHZQ6ZDM6K-XgZysVTivPRKZNJ4E/s1600/paul2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05FSdGEna8-wbgJ2CawSNI1auA0-j545oqIGL2csXpRx66doBteTnlRahocWcVxKwTpjYFMDDEmkcX2PpdG5UnfdJH4q9Nopk8mzds4MQjo8jPHexHZQ6ZDM6K-XgZysVTivPRKZNJ4E/s400/paul2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Ng.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, Pei Yan and I work hard trying to find stuff at high tide! Although this stretch of shore is quite rich when seen at low tide, we can't seem to find much in high water.<br />
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Pei Yan has found a handy way to carry her bucket!<br />
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When Pei Yan and I arrived there were children playing with balloons at the sea side. Horrors! Tiny pieces of burst balloon may end up in the sea and get eaten by sea turtles and other marine life. I explained this to the adults supervising them and they kindly agreed to get the kids to clean up after the game.<br />
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We then moved off into the mangrove patch to try to catch more shrimps and fishes.<br />
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The highlight of the day is the return of the dredge after lunch. They sure brought in a lot of stuff!<br />
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The photographers select those that need to be photographed.<br />
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Among the special finds in the dredge: a Gomeza crab that Prof Peter Ng loves. And a funny looking sea urchin.<br />
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Prof Charles Messing went through all the feather stars and these are to be returned to the sea as we already have enough of them. Indeed, at the Expedition, we don't take more than we need. <br />
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We were happily sorting through the bags of sediment brought up during the dredge when it started to pour with lightning strikes all around us. Just moments before Lee Bee Yan said we should end the Expedition with a bang. And indeed, there are a very loud and scary lightning strike near Base Camp which triggered off the fire alarm.<br />
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Ensuring all the finds and gear were stowed away properly, we headed back to the main building for the last of the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/2013/06/molluscs-ascidians-stars-and-cucumbers.html">mini-talks</a> held in the evening.<br />
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Meanwhile there were two day dives at Terumbu Pempang Laut and Terumbu Pempang Darat. <a href="https://twitter.com/torvaanser">Debby Ng tweets</a>: First dive at Terumbu Pempang: lotsa shrimp & crabs in Crinoids, fusiliers, sweetlips, volute, conchs. And second dive @ Terumbu Laut: Stick & Orange-spot pipefish, pen shell, bullocki, porcelain crabs, cardinals, stingrays, cuttlefish. Alas, when they got back, it was too dangerous for them or any of us to go out to transfer stuff in the lightning storm. So Debby took it "so near and yet so far away" shot from the dive boat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Debby Ng</td></tr>
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At the end of the mini-talks, Dr Tan Koh Siang took the opportunity to thank the scientists and everyone for being a part of the Expedition. And Prof Daphne thanked him on behalf of everyone for leading the Expedition.<br />
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Well after the daytime participants left, late into the night, the remaining staff continue to work hard on the dredge samples.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_vVrrELwKE9tntQ1xW2uWMUw1Cvw9KYwt00-WFr-CbbdapyQPOonecyPhzdS90O9denPgZyv2a-jHpGs68H7PFOuf7-OrUzCRCw3-ahWTuhp7GcxhrQ4iusPP6s3F8F4z06ABe7QrhE/s1600/reneong2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_vVrrELwKE9tntQ1xW2uWMUw1Cvw9KYwt00-WFr-CbbdapyQPOonecyPhzdS90O9denPgZyv2a-jHpGs68H7PFOuf7-OrUzCRCw3-ahWTuhp7GcxhrQ4iusPP6s3F8F4z06ABe7QrhE/s400/reneong2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Rene Ong</td></tr>
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Rene Ong also shares a photo of one of the nudibranchs found during the dive survey.<br />
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I'm heading back soon to Base Camp for a day of packing up. Although it has been exhausting, it has also been an exciting three weeks of fellowship, field trips and funny moments. As <a href="https://twitter.com/torvaanser">Debby Ng</a> says "Today wraps up the diving for the #megamarine survey but the work continues! Still lots of sorting, identifying, writing & analysis to come!"<br />
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The blogging and live updates from the Expedition would not have been possible without the tireless and thoughtful tweets, photos and updates from these people.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/VaranusSalvator">Ivan Kwan</a> (who actually got us started on this during the Northern Expedition). <br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/torvaanser">Debby Ng</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Heng Pei Yan</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped/status/341552033905643522/photo/1">Meryl Theng</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Siluriform">Paul Ng</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/budak/">Marcus Ng </a><br />
And many others too. Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-42969557339200978472013-06-06T07:30:00.000+08:002013-06-06T08:00:55.602+08:00Molluscs, ascidians, stars and cucumbers: Mini-talks at the Southern Expedition We finally get an understanding of some of our common ascidians. As well as some of our echinoderms, and learn about molluscs and marine life in Thailand. In the last of the mini-talks at the Southern Expedition.<br />
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As <a href="https://www.facebook.com/debbyng/posts/10152979022080425">Debby Ng</a> of the <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/">Hantu Bloggers</a> says so well: "I've learned so much from #megamarine survey! Learned/saw new things & learned more about things I already knew some about! Enriched!"<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In her talk "What is an ascidian?" Dr Gretchen Lambert (University of Washington, USA) shared lots of information about these amazing animals. Although they look like blobs, they are quite complicated inside with organs. In fact, they belong to the same Phylum Chordata that includes vertebrates like us! She also confirmed that the cute little mushroom thing that came up with the dredge is an ascidian. Another one was found in a later dredge.<br />
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In the tradition of the early naturalists, Dr David Lane (University Brunei Darussalam) shared his colourful journey studying a wide variety of creatures during his long career in his talk "Stars, bats, cucumber". As his slide shows, he also studies flying fishes, which were found during the Southern Expedition too. <br />
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He spent some time teaching in Singapore, when he taught about bats!<br />
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Dr Lane is also the author of one of the beloved guidebooks to Singapore's shores, the one about our sea stars and echinoderms.<br />
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Dr Lane shared how sea cucumbers reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm. So over-collection can cause the population to collapse when the remaining sea cucumbers are too few and too far apart to reproduce.<br />
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In his talk "Marine mollusc diversity and their problems", Dr Kitihorn Sanpanich (Burapha University, Thailand) shared gorgeous photos of marine life in Thailand. He laments that an Expedition such as ours has not been conducted in Thailand for a long time.<br />
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Dr Kitihorn is also an expert in nudibranchs! <br />
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Sadly, the dive team were marooned outside Base Camp during the thunderstorm that happened during the talks. So they couldn't join us for the mini-talks. But I'm glad Debby managed to get a glimpse of the highlights from the live tweets on <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23MegaMarine">#megamarine</a>.<br />
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It's been a whirlwind of learning and finding out. From these talks, I'm deeply impressed by the passionate work being in such a wide range of marine life, and how so much has been discovered about them. At the same time, that there is so much more to learn and discover.<br />
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Rene Ong has been videotaping the talks and will soon post them online for those who were unable to attend them.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-45882244465523193012013-06-04T23:09:00.001+08:002013-06-04T23:09:10.938+08:00'Sulphur-eating' clams, shrimps and sea cucumbers: Mini-talks at the Southern Expedition The highlight of the day are the mini-talks by experts at the Expedition. From 'sulphur-eating' clams, to wondrous shrimps and amazing sea cucumbers.<br />
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The series kicks off with a talk on "Chemosymbiotic bivalves" by Drs John Taylor and Emily Glover, The Natural History Museum, London UK.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Dr Taylor explained how the discovery of 'sulphur-eating' clams in deep sea vents changed the way people studied clams. These fascinating clams were also found in other deep sea habitats like sunken wood and the bones of dead whales that fall to the bottom of the sea.<br />
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These deep sea clams had bacteria in their gills which could convert sulphur into nutrients that the clams could use. Soon it was discovered that many other clams including shallow water ones had similar relationships with such bacteria.<br />
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Drs Taylor and Glover are particularly interested in the clams in this family that have these bacteria. Dr Taylor points out the special one with tubular thingies through which the clam sucks up sulphur rich stuff to 'feed' its bacteria.<br />
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These interesting clams are found in all kinds of places from the intertidal to the deep sea.<br />
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After searching hard, the good Doctors found their sought after clams at the artificial lagoon of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/lazarus.htm">Seringat-Kias</a>! As well as other bivalves too.<br />
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Next, we learn more about shrimps in the talk "Biodiversity of caridean shrimp" by Dr Sammy de Grave, University of Oxford, UK and Dr Arthur Anker, National University of Singapore. These often small creatures can be colourful and there are lots and lots of different kinds.<br />
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Dr Sammy jokes that these prawns are boring and that if we find one we should just eat it.<br />
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There are many kinds of shrimps that live with a wide variety of animals. Alas, Dr Sammy did not find those he expected while in Singapore. Oh dear.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/alpheidae.htm">Snapping shrimps</a> are of course fascinating. Being able to produce such forceful snaps that can stun prey and crack shells with one enlarged pincer.<br />
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While snapping shrimps belong to Family Alpheidae, there are other families with member than can snap. Like this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/coralliocaris.htm">machine gun shrimp</a> that is found in corals. It can snap with both pincers!<br />
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Dr Sammy shares lots and lots of colourful photos. Here's a
selection of some of them. This motivates me and Pei Yan to redouble
our efforts to find more shrimps tomorrow!<br />
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Dr Sammy pre-empts the question: what is the difference between a
prawn and a shrimp? Scientifically this is not a meaningful distinction.
While in Singapore prawns may refer to those that we can eat, and
shrimps to those not usually eaten, in other countries these terms may
refer to different kinds of 'shrimps'.<br />
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We learnt more about sea cucumbers in the talk "Aspidochirotid sea cucumbers in the collections of the Research Center for Oceanography, LIPI Jakarta" by Ms Ismiliana Wirawati, LIPI, Indonesia.<br />
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She shares details of some special sea cucumbers found in Indonesia. In the process showing what goes into identifying sea cucumbers. These soft squishy animals that usually become totally flat when preserved, are identified by the shapes of the tiny bits of skeleton found in their bodies. It is tedious work. Many sea cucumbers can look similar when alive and they are difficult ID precisely just from a photograph. <br />
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As usual, the talks are just the tip of the iceberg. It whets the appetite to learn more! There will be another session of evening talks tomorrow.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-86250953749875063322013-06-04T23:09:00.000+08:002013-06-04T23:11:35.613+08:00Curious Critters from the Deep on Day 16 of the Southern ExpeditionThis cutie came up from the Deep Dredge today! It's not a sea anemone. It may be an ascidian. We are still not sure!<br />
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Today, the Dredge hit nearly 200m! We also had day and night dives, and the usual frenzied hunting on St. John's and nearby islands.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>There were many other firsts today: <a href="http://t.co/ng8UOLqI1B">Debby Ng tweets photos</a> of this new record for Singapore. A strange bivalve called <i>Jouanettia </i>with a delicate globular shell that has a 'spout'. It is found burrowed into rock or hardened clay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by Debby Ng.</td></tr>
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More of these amazing bivalves came up with the Deep Dredge today. Tan Siong Kiat will be carefully removing these delicate animals without breaking them. Eeks.<br />
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<a href="http://t.co/kwsd0pP4AO">Debby tweets</a> a new record goby found during the day dive at Pulau Jong! Found by Dr Zeehan Jaafar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Debby Ng.</td></tr>
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Earlier in the morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Heng Pei Yan</a> and I went on a shrimp hunt. We decided to check out the mangroves at St. John's Island. We start with the ones near the jetty.<br />
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The tide is high and we root around the roots. And don't find any shrimps or fishes. Although there are lots of snails and clams of various kinds stuck to the roots.<br />
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The island kitties that hang out in the area peer at us from the walkway.<br />
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We then slosh over to the little patch of mangroves further 'inland'. It's a pretty lagoon at high tide. And we find some fishies and a few shrimps here.<br />
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We went back to the same lagoon that Kate Pocklington and I did yesterday, and also found very few shrimps. We returned quite frustrated. Sigh.<br />
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The scientists are not very interested in the mysids that we caught (they look like mosquito larvae). But Yujie is glad to see the mysids as her baby cuttlefishes are hungry. Can you spot the cuttlefish? It's next to the egg case that it hatched out of.<br />
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Hurray, Dr Zeehan Jaafar tells me the tiny fish we caught is interesting! It's one of the world's smallest fishes. When the film crew heard this, they decide to interview her. She explained why it's important to study the fishes live and how knowing the species of fishes can help us measure and rank the richness of various seashore locations and thus support efforts to protect them.<br />
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As the Deep Dredge arrives, the volunteers and staff eagerly get to work to sort out the animals. We are curious to be among the first to see what lives at the bottom of the sea 200m deep! Dr Serena Teo ponders the best way to chip off the ascidians from a huge dead coral that came up with the dredge.<br />
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After much effort, and unsolicited advice from annoying by-standers, Koh Kwan Siong manages to split a huge dead coral and found ... NOTHING! To the amusement of everyone else.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kate.pocklington/posts/10151607946695095">Kate Pocklington</a> went for the Deep Dredge today and shares some sepia photos of the trip.<br />
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Meanwhile, I dragged Dr Kevin Tilbrook out to have a look at suspicious smudges on the mangrove saplings in the tiny patch of mangroves at St Johns. I am hoping they are the <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/05/mangrove-and-freshwater-bryozoans-on.html">amphibious bryozoans that we found with Dr Dennis Gordon</a> at the northern mangroves of Singapore.<br />
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A new record for me! Reading glasses over sunglasses!<br />
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Here's a photo to show the range of places the Expedition explores everyday. From muddy mangroves (me), to reefs -- resulting in itchy red scratches on Dr Zeehan's knees. Ouch.<br />
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There are signs of madness on the Expedition Whiteboard...<br />
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More crazy drawings inspired by Chay Hoon's message about the Horrible elbow crab.<br />
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We must savour these last days of the Expedition!Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-25742746026130052222013-06-03T22:55:00.002+08:002013-06-04T23:46:08.835+08:00Phytoplankton, cnidarians and crinoids: Mini-talks at the Southern Expedition One of the highlights of the Expedition is to hear from the experts during the all too-short talks at the end of the day.<br />
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For her talk on "Incredible Cnidarians", being the world authority on sea anemones, Prof Daphne Fautin, University of Kansas, USA of course started with these wonderful colourful animals. In his talk, Prof Charles Messing gave a quick and simple guide to some feather stars commonly seen in Singapore. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>Prof Daphne covered a lot in a short time about Cnidarians. But one of the important messages from her talk was that identifying sea anemones requires a closer look at some tiny parts of the sea anemone like its stingers, as well as its internal body structures. But once we know what the sea anemone is, there is no longer a need to collect specimens. Indeed, Prof Daphne has been emphasising this for all our collection trips.<br />
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The first talk was about Benthic harmful algal bloom species assemblages in the reefs of Sampadi Island, Malaysia by Mr Tan Toh Hii, University of Malaysia Sarawak. I learnt that while phytoplankton forms the base of the marine food chain, some of these tiny organisms can poison people. Annually about 50,000 people may be affected by Ciguatera fish poisoning. I was astonished to learn that this poison is 'stored' in body fat and will re-emerge to cause illness if a person loses weight. <br />
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Of course, I was excited to learn that many species of phytoplankton were found by Mr Tan's team during the Survey. And among them, there were 34 new records for Singapore.<br />
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I was fascinated by the talk on "An introduction to identification of living Crinoidea" by Prof Charles Messing Nova Southeastern University, Florida, USA. As with most other creatures, identifying feather stars requires a closer look at tiny structures that may frustrate even authorities such as Prof Charles.<br />
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Here is Prof Charles pointing out some of the important details that need to be looked at when trying to sort out feather stars. He also gave us a glimpse into sea lilies, found in deeper water, and other feather stars found elsewhere. As well as a whirlwind tour of marine history which somehow involved feather stars.<br />
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Most exciting, however, was Prof Charles' quick and simple guide to some feather stars commonly seen in Singapore. Here's some of his slides. Click on the image for a larger view.<br />
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There will be more evening talks over the next three days. So exciting!Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-14420556318218128632013-06-03T22:53:00.000+08:002013-06-03T22:58:46.039+08:00Deep Dredge on Day 15 of the Southern ExpeditionAs Prof Peter and Meryl Theng head off for the dredge, I lament that so far, we have not had good photos or stories from the dredge. So I'm very grateful to Meryl who <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">tweeted live from the dredge</a>!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvhjKiEEUa339uk0gFvnDYPTNvPBneWMOxBCmESrIP5euFTL0jBm6luCBg-ER-PgfyD9u9jj_qWyB7O4RrlxDVsQMVO7EmYKyvJUeVA42XOySvgAye3yEWbclxaBoRHY1uuKnh8UeYms/s1600/DSC06335m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvhjKiEEUa339uk0gFvnDYPTNvPBneWMOxBCmESrIP5euFTL0jBm6luCBg-ER-PgfyD9u9jj_qWyB7O4RrlxDVsQMVO7EmYKyvJUeVA42XOySvgAye3yEWbclxaBoRHY1uuKnh8UeYms/s400/DSC06335m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There were also day and night dives, a quick grab of humungous black sea urchins, and Kate and I checked out a lagoon at high tide. The Expedition was also being filmed.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The dredging team is back at the 'Singapore Deeps' (aka 'Singapore Hole' because it's not very long like say, a deep trench). The plan is to sample some of the deepest parts of Singapore's seabed. <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl's tweet</a> shows the scary shipping traffic that passes near the Deep Dredge site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8r4kLUxJ9yNp_fxFxCNhUKz4ayQB8OTzF02leGO4zU-klfc11698Wu4svzfMMEXeEqD479fcP7MyoWQ0gMdcxrdpxsKOvaF2hkVzBtvwtQLpSWqrd3eaT8R9sIPsRRYMcCw5aBjelDY/s1600/meryl4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8r4kLUxJ9yNp_fxFxCNhUKz4ayQB8OTzF02leGO4zU-klfc11698Wu4svzfMMEXeEqD479fcP7MyoWQ0gMdcxrdpxsKOvaF2hkVzBtvwtQLpSWqrd3eaT8R9sIPsRRYMcCw5aBjelDY/s400/meryl4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Razali gives the thumbs up for the dredge to proceed. It's a tricky thing to do a dredge safely and effectively. Fortunately, we are led by Dr Bertrand, who has dredged thousands of metres deep in various parts of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4CryBOpBezsoJGyH9fL_MOo19YYpz86IMgd4ba9-7CWDYA_oC_iWVDDrr_viTJj0qE1heGwespDlxUsEe3f7gFf0s7TPLLVLnad87e7IiI6r9LIjoYytfhGX1xgXcfJHwLrz1VaET68/s1600/meryl6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4CryBOpBezsoJGyH9fL_MOo19YYpz86IMgd4ba9-7CWDYA_oC_iWVDDrr_viTJj0qE1heGwespDlxUsEe3f7gFf0s7TPLLVLnad87e7IiI6r9LIjoYytfhGX1xgXcfJHwLrz1VaET68/s400/meryl6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thanks to Meryl, we got a glimpse of the dredge sample from 100m deep in Singapore waters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAf-ppLwUzddI72tIzy2BE2FbUF2_-eAoH3bHWdAYR5AReG19cK9GbAvfG3PjHib2-q4btzDmWeu13bKf9kDmxfwZMoZjJWDCaFRO3e0iMCPmpW9_WUQvnMfF5MCFJcEUvrM7xD0CjOU/s1600/meryl3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAf-ppLwUzddI72tIzy2BE2FbUF2_-eAoH3bHWdAYR5AReG19cK9GbAvfG3PjHib2-q4btzDmWeu13bKf9kDmxfwZMoZjJWDCaFRO3e0iMCPmpW9_WUQvnMfF5MCFJcEUvrM7xD0CjOU/s400/meryl3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And here's the dredge sample from 200m!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7bABW3p1qZop9txyJCTf6FTGP1rvh5Hhi1qXtXVMylLikG6MomedOhDPcq8VtKgzToaJjHvQH831OdnTcU7WTKd-evv3xcH9mmcO9czQEsvF_XL6AVfarP-xVlxKgTTA6HlFXFG5yQ0/s1600/meryl5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7bABW3p1qZop9txyJCTf6FTGP1rvh5Hhi1qXtXVMylLikG6MomedOhDPcq8VtKgzToaJjHvQH831OdnTcU7WTKd-evv3xcH9mmcO9czQEsvF_XL6AVfarP-xVlxKgTTA6HlFXFG5yQ0/s320/meryl5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When the dredge came back, I finally got a chance to sit down for a while and help to sort through the not-so-deep dredge. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oUioF-MbAITFwdGsiEyLFyalfAXSI-a5VZkR0SoeSFh3a78Iq_8iATDttEJMl4hvfUGNIgGroPivhXfKbOnE6h94BJycX4pG0S7iTuhm87AcsPZnvHnWEpQBF8SbqPnxp4zq1hqlB6M/s1600/DSC06394m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oUioF-MbAITFwdGsiEyLFyalfAXSI-a5VZkR0SoeSFh3a78Iq_8iATDttEJMl4hvfUGNIgGroPivhXfKbOnE6h94BJycX4pG0S7iTuhm87AcsPZnvHnWEpQBF8SbqPnxp4zq1hqlB6M/s400/DSC06394m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There were lots of hydroids, bryozoans. Also some brittlestars, shrimps and even a nudibranch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHz7NWOR8cWQ1W6JUDwUr-F7h8n0OveXcpkSKLhZB0CPcu0ofHcTwHr6EKjNNw0Dp7s7pIaSzZerqf-OY1t7A8p073FbANp-3LgQzsA9-O_owiChqbJ8ip7kmoZ7dbbmL-6tCbJkvxs4/s1600/DSC06393m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHz7NWOR8cWQ1W6JUDwUr-F7h8n0OveXcpkSKLhZB0CPcu0ofHcTwHr6EKjNNw0Dp7s7pIaSzZerqf-OY1t7A8p073FbANp-3LgQzsA9-O_owiChqbJ8ip7kmoZ7dbbmL-6tCbJkvxs4/s400/DSC06393m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Earlier in the morning, Kate and I did a much shallower dredge...haha. We sampled the seagrassy area in the lagoon next to Base Camp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS1DMFCNY2ZEiXTdUJuVyNX-UTN5BNL1ZZW1D609OAUzVea8b2YoVQ_mL_jajoGpf-1fmQyIO1-ls1WygfbFaw2cUWLAWEasPLfOUtaxc1avl85JkbjfeRuuNm34e7t5DBFWY08KmuLE/s1600/DSC06337m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS1DMFCNY2ZEiXTdUJuVyNX-UTN5BNL1ZZW1D609OAUzVea8b2YoVQ_mL_jajoGpf-1fmQyIO1-ls1WygfbFaw2cUWLAWEasPLfOUtaxc1avl85JkbjfeRuuNm34e7t5DBFWY08KmuLE/s400/DSC06337m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I used a tiny net. We managed to find quite a lot of interesting things like shrimps, small fishes and even a snail that Siong Kiat hasn't seen for a while.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiviHX_ttNG75eMdgk-MdG_UcybFn8axtkMFAaAVS2FLqf5Db_8irX6MaZU5EDuVpdg_et8zg-lhpl9Eoca2g-Ki77VywgUKC9zbhDCbpAGIYHrB3t8h3-_HCUG71pVq-FXsg2qTn1bZA/s1600/DSC06339m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiviHX_ttNG75eMdgk-MdG_UcybFn8axtkMFAaAVS2FLqf5Db_8irX6MaZU5EDuVpdg_et8zg-lhpl9Eoca2g-Ki77VywgUKC9zbhDCbpAGIYHrB3t8h3-_HCUG71pVq-FXsg2qTn1bZA/s400/DSC06339m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here's a few of the small animals we found living in seagrasses. Amazing what you can find out if we look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG96g7szfHK7voh3W43RZsZBil-VzaVeE2xIt9sXC-UYIUoJKdx_DLTdQb9V1hGGJzIfn9Zqd9bXoQ5PQo1Zu70wYtHUIaCXF50MSBBnda5ki-wQgyYkbxu_CEfWqsbCNUAoASFmLg-S0/s1600/DSC06369m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG96g7szfHK7voh3W43RZsZBil-VzaVeE2xIt9sXC-UYIUoJKdx_DLTdQb9V1hGGJzIfn9Zqd9bXoQ5PQo1Zu70wYtHUIaCXF50MSBBnda5ki-wQgyYkbxu_CEfWqsbCNUAoASFmLg-S0/s400/DSC06369m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Today, a film crew is in to shoot us at work. It was threatening to rain, which made for a dramatic backdrop I thought.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugqDIz9tzi3WuY9GmOaQJrmrGO7DjZ4G2RgUZbBFINaj5CssF2CYkJfttWJD3c-6x_O7E2BQZTBW7lFk0P4pVLonYKWNNgpoAqt38Gw1ZA2kH47ekSUHhniR-pq329h9o0ntaE182PYU/s1600/DSC06349m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugqDIz9tzi3WuY9GmOaQJrmrGO7DjZ4G2RgUZbBFINaj5CssF2CYkJfttWJD3c-6x_O7E2BQZTBW7lFk0P4pVLonYKWNNgpoAqt38Gw1ZA2kH47ekSUHhniR-pq329h9o0ntaE182PYU/s400/DSC06349m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dr JC Mendoza and Dr Arthur Anker are going to demonstrate the 'yabby pump' for the film crew.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSprex-L7ByvH2v4qWG_Feb34H9JSE9jwnHB1KFL2L-WL6Z2TWcj_LZJvJlTfQa0va_vfLxPVup3FLSYa9yGv3ZPpkGMEBUlSB7lGXI6xIjtcZO8OK2ApYL1soB-XiD1qZDQ_cBVg6sE/s1600/DSC06352m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSprex-L7ByvH2v4qWG_Feb34H9JSE9jwnHB1KFL2L-WL6Z2TWcj_LZJvJlTfQa0va_vfLxPVup3FLSYa9yGv3ZPpkGMEBUlSB7lGXI6xIjtcZO8OK2ApYL1soB-XiD1qZDQ_cBVg6sE/s400/DSC06352m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Prof Daphne gets down to the small details of finding sea anemones on the shore!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lj0rBeofWmzh14JvgxXtYmWjHoHgwiTyKMU82GNXmbQcYlDisdi7FzF-SiL-HKQRaQCr6E7AUSubtjsqI3cOu41BaETEAd7l2GP98_bPKsMQOqQ-Hrhcuky7aAi49uJgd5ss8mOI6vU/s1600/DSC06363m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lj0rBeofWmzh14JvgxXtYmWjHoHgwiTyKMU82GNXmbQcYlDisdi7FzF-SiL-HKQRaQCr6E7AUSubtjsqI3cOu41BaETEAd7l2GP98_bPKsMQOqQ-Hrhcuky7aAi49uJgd5ss8mOI6vU/s400/DSC06363m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The sorting crew also get filmed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJbyD-7ObceoEs6IKdMuZF-_iJwJbN6aK8_sDYT8wJn_F4_c2_isRpKqwZ4Bpw7Sdt-HYSBrX8Szs_C9NmzbXvRuotXL05Tgh0o5_zUw3oABmePgeezrlIWla3HkI7Xr5we9omUhyphenhyphenvM/s1600/DSC06385m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJbyD-7ObceoEs6IKdMuZF-_iJwJbN6aK8_sDYT8wJn_F4_c2_isRpKqwZ4Bpw7Sdt-HYSBrX8Szs_C9NmzbXvRuotXL05Tgh0o5_zUw3oABmePgeezrlIWla3HkI7Xr5we9omUhyphenhyphenvM/s400/DSC06385m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>JC is delighted to find a little creature in our sorting trays. We are so happy when the scientists find something they like after we sort out the sampling materials.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5GACmKKJcZUj4yPExx1QvhByjGiBXBqRNXyqLerPvI7s7W09aiQDQf3N4rfNAHc14GOiqkwuOfhall4eHNH_20ptEx4QE4qrA6wJcZakLVWjkBcVwyjdMz1qhtFXEOi6DW0KnLt2vxw/s1600/DSC06381m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5GACmKKJcZUj4yPExx1QvhByjGiBXBqRNXyqLerPvI7s7W09aiQDQf3N4rfNAHc14GOiqkwuOfhall4eHNH_20ptEx4QE4qrA6wJcZakLVWjkBcVwyjdMz1qhtFXEOi6DW0KnLt2vxw/s400/DSC06381m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A beautiful large sea fan collected during the day dive. It will join the other lovely sponges at the new natural history museum of Singapore! The dive team also found the <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/blog-log-26-july-2009/">Janss' pipefish</a>. I couldn't take a nice photo of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p35R-kCI56AUn8eR_oUxaSadAyFTPeO0r254ZU8RBF0q8mlM4zJl2TtJAoSjBiJSL1jzH4NP1XIYDVTdg76oQerbCIgIDzXcobPJudWDcFlQ88d2E94R38hiHDLB-1_wd0cDSuOy9vY/s1600/130603southex15phone1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p35R-kCI56AUn8eR_oUxaSadAyFTPeO0r254ZU8RBF0q8mlM4zJl2TtJAoSjBiJSL1jzH4NP1XIYDVTdg76oQerbCIgIDzXcobPJudWDcFlQ88d2E94R38hiHDLB-1_wd0cDSuOy9vY/s400/130603southex15phone1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The film crew are morbidly fascinated by the piles of Long-spined black sea urchins that some of the guys at the Expedition found at Seringat-Kias. Particularly after I told them how horrible the spines are if they get into you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQTlQ3S-MJ_Z6c23z5UF5xIkI_X7ZE40iTG6-87h7mfxxPLXFrUua6dOS-3znSUb50gUePqnZhxm1JzxK14HC_gXFQt3E2R5S7uoYPx96JixMpvv1D8mf819HVHovcQV3FipGBJOOpO4/s1600/DSC06396m6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQTlQ3S-MJ_Z6c23z5UF5xIkI_X7ZE40iTG6-87h7mfxxPLXFrUua6dOS-3znSUb50gUePqnZhxm1JzxK14HC_gXFQt3E2R5S7uoYPx96JixMpvv1D8mf819HVHovcQV3FipGBJOOpO4/s400/DSC06396m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Back in the preservation and photo station, lots going on as usual. Including taking photos of larger animals such as this stingray.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGRaDvnXsmiHEkTn0zM0i3XbhWt-Q5dHawP8nFueT1Cf0JSYeBAlFNh26wkXA42SuGnI-CgeLfgCXAGNkjqmZ_f2wh5si-gu7vQ-b4eI6MwvnJHTpNOOfkRLZ1IQDPg8alYe1-HwRkgI/s1600/DSC06395m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGRaDvnXsmiHEkTn0zM0i3XbhWt-Q5dHawP8nFueT1Cf0JSYeBAlFNh26wkXA42SuGnI-CgeLfgCXAGNkjqmZ_f2wh5si-gu7vQ-b4eI6MwvnJHTpNOOfkRLZ1IQDPg8alYe1-HwRkgI/s400/DSC06395m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Pei Yan shared Yujie looking at the baby cuttlefishes that just hatched from their egg capsules. She is feeding them tiny 'pods'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew8D8IC-YdyPm2BRGr8a6idP_INMV5d_MOKTrv_zQyzQZuf8FTUcWRMTtaoMHLlJzmKAtEld5Dkncwf19Wn-pIGsU8UsCVGtMwwbU4qkt0aZEHQeYC-8V-R2QmycEFAV8ceX105W3noU/s1600/peiyan1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew8D8IC-YdyPm2BRGr8a6idP_INMV5d_MOKTrv_zQyzQZuf8FTUcWRMTtaoMHLlJzmKAtEld5Dkncwf19Wn-pIGsU8UsCVGtMwwbU4qkt0aZEHQeYC-8V-R2QmycEFAV8ceX105W3noU/s400/peiyan1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Heng Pei Yan</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We enjoyed a glorious sunset as we left for the evening. <a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Pei Yan tweeted</a> this and many other happenings including the talks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzO1UXt-BrZjbfneZ9ES6mRY1vLEAtQkApPdc4YL0dCgTG3VeTvMXSZ60k7khaj9lT0SGKmfklkr7qtVZUR1q8s3qU1O9II5GSaqHas9g-sHi2lDMgaYjsNdm_vqPbQt00xq6Cfillzk/s1600/DSC06560m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzO1UXt-BrZjbfneZ9ES6mRY1vLEAtQkApPdc4YL0dCgTG3VeTvMXSZ60k7khaj9lT0SGKmfklkr7qtVZUR1q8s3qU1O9II5GSaqHas9g-sHi2lDMgaYjsNdm_vqPbQt00xq6Cfillzk/s400/DSC06560m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I missed the night dive. Night dives have been productive so far and it would have been exciting to be there when they got back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqo8WZky758obQN3qACMJbvJ0cGFYmT5YzgsU8mwA_1t3ECwyhPMzWufAgFOcQAF4Ph4qszPMx37EqM9VYW25xDKyi6QAV51PSXxSWPKZ8uAOFWpYW5tJP28Zw6SgZRUkpr2lQcEX5eo/s1600/meryl2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqo8WZky758obQN3qACMJbvJ0cGFYmT5YzgsU8mwA_1t3ECwyhPMzWufAgFOcQAF4Ph4qszPMx37EqM9VYW25xDKyi6QAV51PSXxSWPKZ8uAOFWpYW5tJP28Zw6SgZRUkpr2lQcEX5eo/s400/meryl2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl's tweets</a>, we have a glimpse of the coolest catch of the night dive. A psychedelic patterned parrotfish!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpYK5P-qMFLBl9koVTXtjrVKOI_hl8v-zjyzLyBzeI_B0SIjWdzB8kdZvKgL2Mwm24FjgSZLSbH1PdVs8Lh-eIKTji8X8Cbc46fIhvTEG-WdZXuhny8pFGStl0hF8S8l-IS2BD1o2MEg/s1600/meryl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpYK5P-qMFLBl9koVTXtjrVKOI_hl8v-zjyzLyBzeI_B0SIjWdzB8kdZvKgL2Mwm24FjgSZLSbH1PdVs8Lh-eIKTji8X8Cbc46fIhvTEG-WdZXuhny8pFGStl0hF8S8l-IS2BD1o2MEg/s400/meryl1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/uberhyped">Meryl Theng</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the evening, there were also three fascinating mini-talks given by experts at the Southern Expedition. I've blogged about it separately <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/2013/06/phytoplankton-cnidarians-and-crinoids.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
During the Expedition, I will try to post live updates on <a href="https://twitter.com/wildsingapore">twitter</a> as well as to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildsingapore">facebook</a> and the Mega <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549">Marine Survey facebook page</a>. These will get less frequent as I start to do field work. I'm not very good at the smart phone in the field, and also, phone connections are not always strong enough to post regularly. So also check out tweets by participants using the hashtag for the Survey <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23MegaMarine">#MegaMarine</a>. These are consolidated on the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/">Mega Marine Survey blog</a>.<br />
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Volunteer sign up for the Southern Expedition are already closed due to limited places and early logistical arrangements needed for participation.<br />
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But no worries, you CAN still join the Survey! Lots of surveys will continue after the Expedition, just at a less frenzied rate. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a>and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey. Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-9551975121250833342013-06-03T00:06:00.002+08:002013-06-03T00:06:39.523+08:006 Jun (Thu): The Wallace Lectures "Copepods -- an introduction to the 'Insects of the Sea'" by Prof Rony Huys What are copepods? And why do they matter?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtxRF8mFukyQWZpDEXqi2q-7Am6xTDG6cIFA3of-pwOxUs747hmxgRsB8xmbgGa8HcVhrfmJMJNiblmg6PQWMrPsjrFPeKwKE4LVWZvno5w1wA-cVqb3asmcu0Jezy6khbTyyxnbqFSI/s1600/ronyhuys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtxRF8mFukyQWZpDEXqi2q-7Am6xTDG6cIFA3of-pwOxUs747hmxgRsB8xmbgGa8HcVhrfmJMJNiblmg6PQWMrPsjrFPeKwKE4LVWZvno5w1wA-cVqb3asmcu0Jezy6khbTyyxnbqFSI/s400/ronyhuys.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Come for this special talk by Prof Rony Huys to find out more. Prof Rony is here for the Southern Expedition of the Mega Marine Survey.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>About the talk </b><br />
No group of plants or animals on Earth exhibits the range of morphological diversity as seen among the extant Crustacea. This structural disparity is best demonstrated by the Copepoda, which show an immense vertical distribution – from the abyss to 5,500 m altitude, spanning three quarters of the possible global vertical range on the planet. Copepods are aquatic microcrustaceans – the microscopical relatives of the crabs and the shrimps and are often dubbed the “insects of the sea” – usually ranging in size between 200 μm and 5 mm. They have colonized the biggest environment on Earth – the massive 1,347 million km cubic volume of water in the global oceans, made the transition from the sea to all freshwater habitats up to the Himalayan mountains, and have entered into symbiotic relationships with virtually ever marine phylum, from sponges to chordates, including mammals and reptiles. They underpin the world’s freshwater and marine ecosystems, are sensitive bio-indicators of local and global climate change, key ecosystem service providers, and parasites of economically important aquatic animals. Copepods sustain the majority of world fisheries and through their roles as vectors of disease, also have a number of direct and indirect effects on human health and quality of life.<br />
<br />
<b>About the speaker</b><br />
Professor Rony Huys, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London<br />
Prof Rony is the world authority for Copepods. He is also the presidentof the World Association of Copepodologists. Prof Rony has published papers and books on Copepods extensively since 1985. From marine organisms, mangroves to groundwater, he has described many genus and new species of Copepods from all around the world. He has also defined the phylogeny, diversity and evolution of copepods found in different organisms.<br />
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<b>Wallace Lecture Series</b> <br />
The Wallace Lecture Series was a series of important lectures delivered in the 1960s by well-known biologists in the then University of Malaya. These lectures stimulated discussion and encouraged the exploration of new ideas in systematics, ecology and natural heritage. It seemed especially appropriate and timely that this lecture series, named after one of the two discoverers of the modern theory of evolution, should be “resurrected” to further research interest and activity in Singapore’s rich biodiversity. This is the second of the Wallace Lecture Series, delivered by an invited Research Scientist brought in by the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research of the National University of Singapore, in conjunction with the National Biodiversity Centre (National Parks Board); and supported by Shell Singapore.<br />
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The talk is free but registration is required online at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ronyhuys">http://tinyurl.com/ronyhuys</a><br />
<br />The talk is organised by the National Parks Board and the National University of Singapore and sponsored by Shell.<br /><br />
<b>Date: </b>6 Jun (Thu)<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Time: </b>7-8.30pm<br />
<b>Venue: </b>Function Hall, Botany Centre Level One, Singapore Botanic Gardens <a href="http://www.sbg.org.sg/tanglincore/tanglincore.asp">map on the SBG website</a><br />
<b>Website and contact:</b> <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/">http://www.nparks.gov.sg/</a> Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-44867891368671012632013-06-02T23:39:00.000+08:002013-06-02T23:40:39.832+08:00Video clip of "Lace Corals and Moss Animals" a talk by Dr Kevin J. TilbrookThanks to <a href="http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/">Andy Dinesh</a>, here's a video clip of the awesome talk by Dr Kevin Tilbrook.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MmatwkEp9BlW3Ta4PBOqfnO4sj3WhQXv1sSOz1d3jdg7xw6aMiwbQJshTuFKy5lS1zsDgxPwoeR4jYAg1-9DdqLkuVUj8S7lc9Lojf06vzl5eMeIWVvZT4Gk668RlWE6LSHWUNY-sFg/s1600/kevintilbrook1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MmatwkEp9BlW3Ta4PBOqfnO4sj3WhQXv1sSOz1d3jdg7xw6aMiwbQJshTuFKy5lS1zsDgxPwoeR4jYAg1-9DdqLkuVUj8S7lc9Lojf06vzl5eMeIWVvZT4Gk668RlWE6LSHWUNY-sFg/s400/kevintilbrook1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dr Kevin gives a lively and easy-to-understand introduction to bryozoans and also to taxonomy in general.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/67492086?color=4bd620" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/67492086">"Lace Corals and Moss Animals" by Dr Kevin J. Tilbrook</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sgbeachbum">SgBeachBum</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/1-jun-sat-wallace-lectures-lace-corals.html">The talk</a> is part of the Wallace Lectures and Dr Kevin is in Singapore for the Southern Expedition of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey of Singapore.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-19944538819834795502013-06-02T01:04:00.001+08:002013-06-02T08:03:35.150+08:00Fabulous Feather stars of SingaporeFeather stars are among the most abundant and flamboyantly colored creatures on Singapore's reefs and deeper rocky sea floor. Over 30 species have been recorded from Singapore’s waters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGw0U-1eEMTxsjCEZ4nV44Buw7qhM7oKCvQh0IZ0mOQiw8ABdck2oo8-Byi8oEsJZhOF139aGeI9NZas_k8LrhrNgyVqkwYFJ41AQ8P7kB04R8xINtRehv2vXvuXno1Hb-Jz5_N0Dmdoa/s1600/DSC04921m6.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGw0U-1eEMTxsjCEZ4nV44Buw7qhM7oKCvQh0IZ0mOQiw8ABdck2oo8-Byi8oEsJZhOF139aGeI9NZas_k8LrhrNgyVqkwYFJ41AQ8P7kB04R8xINtRehv2vXvuXno1Hb-Jz5_N0Dmdoa/s400/DSC04921m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small selection of the many feather stars found<br />
during a <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/shock-from-deep-with-otter-on-day-3-of.html">Deep Dredge on Day 3</a></td></tr>
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Prof Charles G Messing of the Oceanographic Center, <a href="http://www.nova.edu/">Nova Southeastern University</a> shares this and more about some special feather stars in Singapore.<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>Prof Charles G Messing shares:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
These animals, technically known as crinoids, are close relatives of sea stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. They have a small cup-like body and long feather-like arms that they use for filtering plankton from the water. Different species range from only a few centimeters across with ten arms, to over 30 centimeters across with more than 100 arms. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Almost all of them have a ring or cluster of hooks on the underside for anchoring to rocks, sponges or soft corals. Despite their apparently sedentary lifestyle, however, they can crawl from place to place and some can even swim with graceful undulations of their arms. <br />
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Some sit in the open, others extend their arms from crevices on the reef, and still others crawl from daytime hiding places to night-time feeding perches. <br />
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Feather stars come in every color and combination; in some cases one species may exhibit a wide palette, while others come in only one or two colors. <br />
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Crinoids were first discovered here by shore collectors in the mid-nineteenth century. The first one described in the scientific literature was a unique specimen that remained unknown anywhere else in the tropical Indian or western Pacific oceans. It differed from another species found across much of the region in one small but curious character; as a result it was maintained as a distinct species. <br />
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One of the reasons I looked forward to participating in this biodiversity survey was to search for this elusive feather star, and to see if it indeed was uniquely different from its relatives. <br />
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Fortune smiled, and I found numerous specimens on my first dive; in fact, the species was the first crinoid I saw on the reef. However, I also found specimens of the closely related, widespread species. <br />
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My task now is to determine whether they are just the equivalent of blue-eyed and brown-eyed individuals of one species, or actually different. This will take some detailed lab work and probably a look at their DNA.</blockquote>
Feather stars are also homes for remarkable creatures that blend perfectly with their homes. As I have heard Prof Charles explain, feather stars are condominiums! Shrimps, worms and even fishes of all kinds many be found them. Even tinier creatures may live on these animals! Here's a photo of a crinoid snapping shrimp covered with tiny white copepods, found during the Southern Expedition, shared by Dr Arthur Anker. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkPk-WNe8NoTJAiNXIM7W-PX-m4LPdlqxuPZ3nvYXb5pfrPR_F6PFlGYHEK2tEZ5qLr7f-870DbdB6qipnnCm4xIL9jOgYCnlvKFm31KnNzFGs7iC8wrYKwz4Jgw18DfA08v2R4O2vEGm/s1600/arthuranke.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkPk-WNe8NoTJAiNXIM7W-PX-m4LPdlqxuPZ3nvYXb5pfrPR_F6PFlGYHEK2tEZ5qLr7f-870DbdB6qipnnCm4xIL9jOgYCnlvKFm31KnNzFGs7iC8wrYKwz4Jgw18DfA08v2R4O2vEGm/s400/arthuranke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=515220055193384&set=a.318610634854328.66172.100001161823268&type=1&relevant_count=1">Dr Arthur Anker</a></td></tr>
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Prof Charles is probably among the busiest experts at the Southern Expedition, often inundated with specimens after every survey. We keep finding so many of these animals on intertidal surveys, subtidal dives and seabed dredges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTj2-KzrMW8g1QsuFOn4U_zL6zbxs88ViX7ishsBWJ9mM9KlUGMUAJCYpdzCzBz7wikHkF9NZ-ZPAjFfg9vg2Ekvv5U_j8qEoH_vTs9DFdOgAKGzbnIbKRI24oW5CZhlllnSbHytTgfI/s1600/130531southex12s05913m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTj2-KzrMW8g1QsuFOn4U_zL6zbxs88ViX7ishsBWJ9mM9KlUGMUAJCYpdzCzBz7wikHkF9NZ-ZPAjFfg9vg2Ekvv5U_j8qEoH_vTs9DFdOgAKGzbnIbKRI24oW5CZhlllnSbHytTgfI/s400/130531southex12s05913m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is Prof Charles with so many trays of specimens that they have to be queued up on the floor next to his station!<br />
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Despite being so busy, Prof Charles was very kind to give the media interviews about Singapore's feather stars during the VIP and media trip on <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/vips-visit-on-day-8-of-southern.html">Day 8</a> of the Southern Expedition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaouuQ6zMY9kAJETx2qpCdb96buqg6SgDksLkDrMTc4flsVDH2AzHH_Xxay49k53LhNYJmwUhkaabGIq-5HRj9lDTXARUBVXmxencDro0UI5jpBxZjHeODCRwBoNgz8mkCyIfzq-qbjuk/s1600/DSC05590m6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaouuQ6zMY9kAJETx2qpCdb96buqg6SgDksLkDrMTc4flsVDH2AzHH_Xxay49k53LhNYJmwUhkaabGIq-5HRj9lDTXARUBVXmxencDro0UI5jpBxZjHeODCRwBoNgz8mkCyIfzq-qbjuk/s400/DSC05590m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We're so lucky to have him help us figure out our feather stars. I will also miss hearing his wonderful stories when the Expedition is over. We must savour the last days while we can.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-11176433419416971212013-06-02T00:32:00.001+08:002013-06-02T08:01:49.095+08:00Horrid things on Day 13 of the Southern ExpeditionHurray! The long missing Horrible elbow crab (<i>Daldorfia horrida</i>) has been found by Dr Lin Chiawei during the night dive today. <br />
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It is HUGE and indeed rather horrible. It is listed as 'Presumed Nationally Extinct' on the Singapore Red List, which probably means that it hasn't been seen here in 50 years. So it's great to know that it still exists in our waters!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The other horrible thing that turned up in the day dive is the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/synanceiidae/horrida.htm">Hollow-cheek stonefish</a> (<i>Synanceia horrida</i>). Prof Peter shows (off) how to hold a stonefish by the cheeks. Don't try this yourself! <br />
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Marcus Ng is sharing his wonderful photos of critters taken at the Expedition yesterday, including this really cute shrimp found on feather stars. We learn from Dr Sammy that this is a first record for Singapore. Check out Marcus' photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/budak/">his flickr</a> or on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1511256@N22/pool/">Mega Marine Survey flickr group</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/budak/8906663365/in/pool-1511256@N22">Marcus Ng</a>.</td></tr>
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Debby Ng of the <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/">Hantu Bloggers</a> has been diligently photographing and <a href="https://twitter.com/torvaanser">tweeting about the dive</a>. Here she is taking a photo of a porcelain crab hiding in a special sea fan.<br />
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During the weekend, we get a strong turnout of volunteers! This is much needed as the day dive returns with lots of coral rubble to check through. They are so efficient that there is soon nothing to do. Because the dredge was cancelled today.<br />
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We didn't have to go very far to find more work. There's all kinds of marine life growing along the pontoons in the middle of the lagoon of Base Camp. The volunteers help to take samples of seaweeds off the pontoon. The pontoon is rather wobbly in the choppy water so it's a job for people who don't get seasick. And it helps to have long arms! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.615319738480326.1073741856.100000069172841&type=1">Johnson Ong </a>shared this and other photos of the volunteers having fun while they work hard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg6FU60kWxriiMDVuuleh45n4JT1s1m_stRRLY3leb5YtV954gfX63iynvkCJ3iyq1_JwdHJUrvlGzAchoRKTMFwv5K-Dc1GRtJjpItbd-K0YmLa1ttWa6C0wyWCW88X7fGQ1c-mWsVg/s1600/johnsonong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg6FU60kWxriiMDVuuleh45n4JT1s1m_stRRLY3leb5YtV954gfX63iynvkCJ3iyq1_JwdHJUrvlGzAchoRKTMFwv5K-Dc1GRtJjpItbd-K0YmLa1ttWa6C0wyWCW88X7fGQ1c-mWsVg/s400/johnsonong.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.615319738480326.1073741856.100000069172841&type=1">Johnson Ong</a></td></tr>
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Then it was time to sort through what we collected. It was quite fun!<br />
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I only found a few of the special sap-sucking slugs among the seaweeds. They look just like bits of seaweed! This is among the animals that were <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2012/10/what-has-mega-marine-survey-found-so-far.html">new records for Singapore</a> during the Northern Expedition.<br />
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We also found tiny crabs, tiny worms, tiny 'pods' of all kinds, brittle stars and even bivalves. Also, a pot of ascidians and bryozoans.<br />
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Today several experts have left the Expedition: Dr Shane Ahyong, Dr Neil Bruce and Dr Fujita. It the beginning of the end! I try to capture more of the spirit and happenings at the Expedition before it's too late. At Base Camp we take mozzie wipeout seriously. As this notice reminds with graphic diagrams of what can happen if we fail to take every precaution.<br />
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It's tough to take a photo with one hand in a glove, but not impossible.<br />
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The Team before they leave for the day dive. One of the many tweets by <a href="https://twitter.com/momo_peiyan">Pei Yan</a> all day. <br />
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Just before the night dive survey. What can we find?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://twitpic.com/cupj7f">Debby Ng</a></td></tr>
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It's late at night and Jiaxin is still working hard, here taking photos of the stonefish.<br />
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As I arrived this morning, I bumped into Dr Kevin Tilbrook leaving to give <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/05/1-jun-sat-wallace-lectures-lace-corals.html">his public talk</a>, armed with lots of beautiful specimens of bryozoans of all kinds.<br />
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Later in the day, Dr Kevin returns bearing gifts! I heard he gave a great talk which was well attended. <a href="http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/">Andy Dinesh</a> filmed the talk and will soon post it online so everyone who missed it can catch up with what happened.<br />
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Chay Hoon has a special birthday present for Prof Daphne. Handmade sea anemone earrings!<br />
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Here's a closer look at the earrings. They are anatomically correct representatives of the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/buddemeieri.htm">Pink-spotted bead anemone</a> that Prof Daphne named after her husband!<br />
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Tomorrow, everyone at the Expedition gets a day off. So there won't be any blog posts!<br />
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But I will resume live updates on <a href="https://twitter.com/wildsingapore">twitter</a> as well as to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildsingapore">facebook</a> and the Mega <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549">Marine Survey facebook page</a> on Monday. So also check out tweets by participants using the hashtag for the Survey <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23MegaMarine">#MegaMarine</a>. These are consolidated on the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/">Mega Marine Survey blog</a>.<br />
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Volunteer sign up for the Southern Expedition are already closed due to limited places and early logistical arrangements needed for participation.<br />
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But no worries, you CAN still join the Survey! Lots of surveys will continue after the Expedition, just at a less frenzied rate. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a>and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-63773955425331951602013-06-01T00:20:00.003+08:002013-06-01T09:07:54.598+08:00Awesome AmphipodsAmphipods are tiny critters that often hide among debris on the high tide line on the sea shore. These small crustaceans are super abundant in world oceans and very diverse (more than 10,000 described species).<br />
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Dr Jim Lowry from the <a href="http://australianmuseum.net.au/">Australian Museum</a> studies them. His project during the Southern Expedition is the first major survey of the group in Singapore waters. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>So far, during the Southern Expedition, Dr Jim has found 17 families plus one he can’t identify and more than 50 species and counting. The status of these species can’t be determined until they are studied in detail back in the lab. Some families which would be expected haven’t been found yet. <br />
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Dr Jim is most interested in beach-hoppers. These amphipods shelter under washed up seaweed and debris at the top of the intertidal zone and come out at night to scavenge on the beach. So far he has found a new species living on white sand beaches and another new species living on dark coarse sand beaches in the mangroves. <br />
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The most interesting find has been a beach-hopper that has moved inland away from the sea. This species called <i>Floresorchestia malayensis</i> was first described in 1922 from the Botanical Gardens and has never been seen since. Dr Jim and Paul Ng found it living along the MacRitchie track.<br />
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Indeed, amphipods can be found in a wide variety of places near the sea.I bumped into Dr Jim as I was <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/where-none-have-gone-before-on-day-2-of.html">surveying the mangroves</a>.<br />
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I also went out looking for hoppers with Dr Jim on <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/2013/05/humungous-critters-and-six-legged-crab.html">a rocky shore</a>. During that trip, I learnt lots of tips and tricks on how to catch jumpy tiny creatures that can hardly be seen!<br />
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I learnt some other interesting things about amphipods from Dr Jim during our meals together at the Expedition. It seems amphipod males carry females around before they mate. I found a video clip on this behaviour.<br />
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Amphipods are also good moms! They brood their young in special pouches under their chest.<br />
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So much more to learn about our marine life! I'm really going to miss all the knowledgeable and friendly experts at the Southern Expedition.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-7460025623092579032013-06-01T00:07:00.003+08:002013-06-01T00:07:46.785+08:00Pea crab on Day 12 of the Southern ExpeditionToday is our last intertidal trip for the Southern Expedition. Two teams surveyed <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/places/tekukor.htm">Pulau Tekukor</a> which is rarely visited and is not accessible to the public.<br />
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There were also dive surveys as well as a dredge. We found a lot of interesting critters as usual.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It was a glorious blue sky day, perfect for taking last shots of St. John's Island from this point of view, unique to the Southern Expedition and Base Camp.<br />
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As usual, Alex and the crew from Summit Marine make sure we have a safe landing.<br />
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Dr Gretchen Lambert initially was a little worried about the amphibious landing, but all went well and she was very happy with all the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/ascidiacea/ascidiacea.htm">ascidians</a> that she and her team found on Pulau Tekukor.<br />
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After Prof Daphne and I struggled to collect <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/phymanthus.htm">Frilly sea anemones</a> which are super abundant here, until we joined Kwan Siong who did it with seemingly more ease! I must learn how he does it.<br />
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My favourite find of the day was this pink <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/polyplacophora/chiton.htm">chiton</a> that I had seen before in the past but was unable to dislodge. Today, I learnt how to do this without harming the animal.<br />
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We are also glad to find the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/buddemeieri.htm">Pink-spotted bead anemone</a> which is found very high on the shore. Its scientific name is after Prof Daphne's husband.<br />
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One of the special finds was this tiny <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/bivalvia/tridacnidae/crocea.htm">Burrowing giant clam</a>. Sadly, it was stuck to a small rock and it would have died as the rock would split into to, providing no protection to the clam, when it starts to burrow. So we are passing this to Mei Lin aka Giant Clam Girl so she can raise it up safely.<br />
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As we were leaving, we saw Siong Kiat sitting on the sand. They seemed to be making sand castles! But they were actually digging in the sand for clams.<br />
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Here's a closer look at the clams when we got back to Base Camp. Wow, I sure have a lot more to learn about how to find our marine life.<br />
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When we got back to Base Camp, the drill is to pass everything to the Sorting Station.<br />
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At the Sorting Station, the finds will labelled, logged and get sorted into animal groups and passed on to the relevant scientist who will study them further. <a href="https://twitter.com/VaranusSalvator">Ivan Kwan</a> live tweeted all kinds of interesting finds.<br />
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When sorting it does help to have some idea of marine life. This tray, for example, has only crabs, which can take on a very wide variety of forms!<br />
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We are intrigued by this crab that moves around holding a small piece of coral rubble over itself. Prof Peter says this crab is known but finds it interesting. He asked Marcus to take a photo of it, and Marcus took a great video clip of it.<br />
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Dr Sammy came back with a whole trolley full of shrimps from the dive at Kusu Island. Later, he told us one of the shrimps is a new record for Singapore! Marcus took photos of it and will upload it soon I'm sure.<br />
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Among the interesting shrimps is this long skinny one that clings to sea fans! This shrimp is often seen by the <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/">Hantu Blog</a> divers. <a href="https://twitter.com/torvaanser">Debby Ng</a> was tweeting about the dives, sharing that there were three new shrimp records for Singapore from just that one dive.<br />
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Among the critters I've not seen before are this spotty based cowrie, and white conical parasitic snails on Icon sea stars!<br />
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Dr Serena Teo is sorting out all the ascidians for Dr Gretchen who is busy with the collection from Pulau Tekukor. So it's important to pace the passing over of the specimens.<br />
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As usual, there's a smashing time at the Sorting Station when rocks, dead corals and other hard objects are brought in with the dredge. Inside, all kinds of marine life can be found.<br />
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The dive team has done coral brushing today. In which they gently brush tiny creatures found on dead corals. A few of these dead corals are taken back for the Sorting Team to work on. Back at Base Camp the coral brushing equipment is carefully unpacked.<br />
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It is important to use gloves before handling any marine life as many can cause rashes and skin irritation.<br />
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Dr Charles Messing has a whole tray full of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/crinoidea/crinoidea.htm">feather stars</a> from the dive!<br />
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The dredge has come in! With MORE feather stars!<br />
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Dr Shane has a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/stomatopoda/stomatopoda.htm">mantis shrimp</a>!<br />
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We brought back a few <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/bivalvia/pinnidae/pinnidae.htm">Fan clams</a> from Pulau Tekukor and when they were opened, we finally found the pea crabs that Prof Peter is interested in. Dr Arthur takes photos of them with Jiaxin taking care of the flash. I'm sure we will soon see fabulous photos of these crabs. I learnt that each Fan clam holds only one pea crab, either a male or a female. The male crab, it seems, moves to mate with females living in nearby clams.<br />
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Siong Kiat has also found a tiny pearl in the Fan calm to the amusement of the rest of the ladies in the team. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/VaranusSalvator">Ivan Kwan</a> for live tweeting throughout the day thus relieving me of this task. And to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/budak/">Marcus Ng</a> for taking good photos of all kinds of critters and happenings, and sharing them on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1511256@N22/">Mega Marine Survey flickr group</a>.<br />
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I will be back at Base Camp tomorrow morning. Dives and dredges continue, and the volunteers will continue to sample on the intertidal whenever we can.<br />
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During the Expedition, I will try to post live updates on <a href="https://twitter.com/wildsingapore">twitter</a> as well as to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildsingapore">facebook</a> and the Mega <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549">Marine Survey facebook page</a>. These will get less frequent as I start to do field work. I'm not very good at the smart phone in the field, and also, phone connections are not always strong enough to post regularly. So also check out tweets by participants using the hashtag for the Survey <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23MegaMarine">#MegaMarine</a>. These are consolidated on the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/">Mega Marine Survey blog</a>.<br />
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Volunteer sign up for the Southern Expedition are already closed due to limited places and early logistical arrangements needed for participation.<br />
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But no worries, you CAN still join the Survey! Lots of surveys will continue after the Expedition, just at a less frenzied rate. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a>and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-36045175121526773872013-05-30T23:24:00.003+08:002013-05-30T23:24:33.269+08:00Big Bryozoan on Day 11 of the Southern ExpeditionThe biggest achievement of the day (and perhaps the week) was getting everyone at the Expedition together for a group photo! (as Ivan Kwan noted in <a href="https://twitter.com/VaranusSalvator/status/340055034358284288">his tweet</a>). Herding cats is probably easier.<br />
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Earlier on, the Expedition was dispersed over four locations and also did a deep dredge. With lots of interesting finds as usual.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Today, a few of us stayed closer to Base Camp and discovered all kinds of interesting critters!<br />
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Other teams headed out for Terumbu Raya, Terumbu Pempang Laut and Pulau Hantu.<br />
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Prof Daphne and I decided to survey the lagoons at Base Camp for the 'brown peachia' that she is looking for.<br />
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Later on, I met Prof Peter Ng and Dr JC Mendoza surveying the same shore. They were using the 'yabby pump' which is the only way to get rarey animals that are seldom seen above ground. It's a suck-and-sieve operation that requires a lot of energy to work the pump.<br />
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Among the animals they managed to suck up were a mantis shrimp, ghost shrimps and other little crabs. Also some Edwardsid sea anemones.<br />
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Other interesting animals I saw on the shore included a Bornella nudibranch!<br />
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As the tide fell, a variety of seagrasses were revealed in the lagoon!<br />
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There were several clumps of Tape seagrass, large expanses of Spoon seagrass and some Needle seagrass as well as small amounts of Serrated ribbon seagrass.<br />
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We found a very large Fan clam. And once again, relied on Dr Sammy and his gianormous knife to open up the clam.<br />
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Everyone has a closer look to see if there is anything precious there. No, we are not looking for pearls.<br />
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Instead, we are looking for animals that live inside these clams. Hurray, we found a pair of snapping shrimps!<br />
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Although there was much finger prodding, no crabs were found in the clam.<br />
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Here's a closer look at the shrimps.<br />
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Meanwhile, the team visiting Terumbu Pempang Laut faced nasty weather soon after they landed. Nevertheless, they went ahead and did a great survey with many interesting finds. See <a href="https://twitter.com/VaranusSalvator">Ivan's tweets</a> for more of what they did and found.<br />
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What were the special finds of the day? Henrietta found a Bobtail squid, and a super tiny sea star at Pulau Hantu. She showed me photos of them on her laptop.<br />
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Here's a closer look at the animals she saw.<br />
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Rene showed me this beautiful photo of a tiny hermit crab. According to Dr Rahayu (aka Yoyo), this hermit crab was only recently described and a specimen has not been obtained since 1906. It was found in one of our trawl dredges. This shows that the bottom of our seas are very much alive!<br />
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But among the best specimens of the day is this humungous cluster of bryozoans. This was taken off the pontoon at the Base Camp lagoon. Dr Kevin Tilbrook is very glad with this marvelous specimen.<br />
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Here's a closer look at it. If you want to find out more about bryozoans, do come for <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/05/1-jun-sat-wallace-lectures-lace-corals.html">Dr Kevin Tilbrook's talk on 1 Jun (Sat)</a> at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. <br />
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Today there was also another deep dredge, with lots of basket stars. These are now so commonly found in the dredge surveys that there isn't much excitement about them. Compared to <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2012/10/amlive-interview-and-basket-star-at.html">the first time we found one during the Northern Expedition</a>. Thanks to Ivan who diligently tweeted all day, I learnt that there was also a <a href="http://twitpic.com/cu7nq0">snorkeling survey</a> in the Base Camp lagoon.<br />
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In a few hours, we head out for our last morning intertidal trip of the Expedition. Although the trips have been exhausting, it's so sad to see them come to an end so quickly.<br />
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During the Expedition, I will try to post live updates on <a href="https://twitter.com/wildsingapore">twitter</a> as well as to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildsingapore">facebook</a> and the Mega <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mega-Marine-Survey-of-Singapore/136892629681549">Marine Survey facebook page</a>. These will get less frequent as I start to do field work. I'm not very good at the smart phone in the field, and also, phone connections are not always strong enough to post regularly. So also check out tweets by participants using the hashtag for the Survey <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23MegaMarine">#MegaMarine</a>. These are consolidated on the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/">Mega Marine Survey blog</a>.<br />
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Volunteer sign up for the Southern Expedition are already closed due to limited places and early logistical arrangements needed for participation.<br />
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But no worries, you CAN still join the Survey! Lots of surveys will continue after the Expedition, just at a less frenzied rate. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a> and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey.Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507431905544600878.post-38536836667354455222013-05-29T23:53:00.001+08:002013-05-29T23:54:19.643+08:00Five new Fast and Furious Ferrari shrimps at the Southern ExpeditionDr Shane Ahyong shares great news about the first discovery of five species of mantis shrimps from Singapore waters at the Southern Expedition! One of them, a coral reef mantis shrimp is probably new to science.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Dr Arthur Anker</td></tr>
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What are mantis shrimps? And why are they the Ferraris of the Sea? Here's more about these intriguing creatures, shared by Dr Shane Ahyong of <a href="http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/">the Australian Museum</a>.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>First discovery of five species of mantis shrimps from Singapore waters</b><br />
by Dr Shane Ahyong<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mantis shrimps, which look something like a small lobster with the claws of a praying mantis, are fearsome underwater predators. A claim to fame of the mantis shrimp is its lightning-fast strike with its special claws, which holds the underwater speed record at about 5000th of a second – they seldom miss their prey.<br />
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We’ve had some exciting finds even in the first week of the expedition with the first Singapore records for five species of mantis shrimps. Their names are <i>Levisquilla jurichi, Quollastria subtilis, Acanthosquilla derijardi</i> (pictured above), <i>Alachosquilla vicina</i> and <i>Gonodactylellus </i>sp. <br />
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The first four live in the sand and mud of the seabed, and the fifth species (<i>Gonodactylellus </i>sp.) lives deep in crevices amongst the rocks and coral. <br />
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More excitingly, this coral reef mantis shrimp is probably new to science, but so far, we have captured only one specimen of this elusive animal. We need more specimens to confirm whether our suspicions, so a special effort will be made to find them. Hopefully we’ll have more news in the coming week. The quest is on!</blockquote>
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We are all learning so much from Dr Shane during the Southern Expedition. Here he is patiently explaining to volunteer Ivan Kwan how to ID the various mantis shrimps seen on Singapore shores.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN6ZXOFsxYOETFCOy98RfG9JCCTHeTyGxkzZStk1jIPVURHGPr0Tcl2cw-lDWXdc-3Muvd_VQ_AGovNB8ChRZtGjzMWqBB5pJjQh18nZymRw8QasylZhjb65wG8332wuVvsxIyus947k/s1600/DSC05790m6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN6ZXOFsxYOETFCOy98RfG9JCCTHeTyGxkzZStk1jIPVURHGPr0Tcl2cw-lDWXdc-3Muvd_VQ_AGovNB8ChRZtGjzMWqBB5pJjQh18nZymRw8QasylZhjb65wG8332wuVvsxIyus947k/s400/DSC05790m6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Ivan recently blogged about <a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.sg/2013/04/mantis-shrimps-of-singapore-onetwothree.html">Singapore's mantis shrimps</a>, inspired by the awesome comic strip by <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp">The Oatmeal</a>. Thanks also to Ivan for the snazzy title to this blog post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZEog0dbeU9YGLnMZfKSPpiP2BXXJP_X7zswBXx_dAdPla-UVeZOrBzkl_etB50w7tWy9Gi204v-Cywn86YtE12pluY3eJ1L7n6BMlvydpqJG6rHCgldCnNTG5QhwEAkrdohbFCEzFSk/s1600/OatmealMantisShrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZEog0dbeU9YGLnMZfKSPpiP2BXXJP_X7zswBXx_dAdPla-UVeZOrBzkl_etB50w7tWy9Gi204v-Cywn86YtE12pluY3eJ1L7n6BMlvydpqJG6rHCgldCnNTG5QhwEAkrdohbFCEzFSk/s400/OatmealMantisShrimp.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
This is just some of the many exciting finds during the Southern Expedition.<br />
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Volunteer sign up for the Southern Expedition are already closed due to
limited places and early logistical arrangements needed for
participation.<br />
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But no worries, you CAN still join the Survey! Lots of surveys will
continue after the Expedition, just at a less frenzied rate. There will
be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in
dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega
Marine Survey, register your interest in <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9yS216X1l2X0JnNzdIbk1iM0QzTUE6MQ">this form</a>
and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on
the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html">FAQs</a> for more about the Survey.
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<br />Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com1