The mysterious marine life of green donuts
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 17 March 2023
CSIRO’s RV Investigator explored mysterious Halimeda “green donuts” on the Great Barrier Reef. These bioherms, covering 6000 km², are biodiversity hotspots hosting corals, sea stars, urchins, and endangered species—boosting reef science and management.
Keywords: Halimeda, green donuts, bioherms, Great Barrier Reef, biodiversity, RV Investigator, marine habitats
New biological control released against invasive cabomba weed
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 2 March 2023
CSIRO and Seqwater have released the cabomba weevil in Lake Kurwongbah to control the invasive aquatic weed Cabomba. The weevil feeds exclusively on cabomba, offering a sustainable, cost-effective biocontrol to protect waterways and native ecosystems.
Keywords: cabomba, cabomba weevil, biocontrol, invasive species, waterways, CSIRO, Seqwater
Eggshells tell story of extinct elephant birds
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 1 March 2023
Ancient DNA and proteins from elephant bird eggshells reveal Madagascar once hosted three species in two families, with extreme gigantism evolving rapidly. Eggshells provide insights into evolution, diet, and taxonomy of these extinct giants.
Keywords: elephant birds, Madagascar, ancient DNA, eggshells, paleogenomics, extinction, evolution
