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Scientific discoveries, ground-breaking expeditions, jaw-dropping exhibitions and Australia's biggest museum collection.

Male Cambodian Fanged Frog (Limnonectes fastigatus)

Welcome new fanged friend: A new species of Fanged Frog discovered in Cambodia

From the forests of northeastern Cambodia, another frog species new to science is scientifically named!

10 December 2020

New primate species discovered in Myanmar

International collaboration led in part by Australian Museum Chief Scientist, Professor Kristofer Helgen, sheds light on evolutionary history and the important role museums play in understanding and conserving biodiversity.

11 November 2020

Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

“Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land” is an important statement within First Nations communities.

By Laura McBride

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A pack of dire wolves (Canis dirus) are feeding on their bison kill, while a pair of grey wolves (Canis lupus) approach in the hopes of scavenging

Myth or museum specimen? The animals that are more fact than fiction

Famously featured in George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones franchise, the dire wolf is far more than a popular legend. A recent study in Nature has discovered how genetically distinct this prehistoric carnivore actually was. Read more about the study, and other animals thought to be pure myth.

14 January 2021

A rainforest tree by the sea — Who are the pollinators?

In Australia there are over 40 species of mangroves; despite their key role in coastal ecosystem function, we know relatively little about their reproductive ecology. Learn more about the pollinators involved, in this recent and pivotal study.

15 December 2020

The team swabs a frog for Bd and Bsal infection. Hoang Lien Range, Vietnam

Is a deadly disease impacting amphibians on Vietnam’s highest mountains?

Scientists from the Australian Museum, Indo-Myanmar Conservation and ZSL London Zoo search for frogs and the world’s worst wildlife disease in the mountains of northern Vietnam.

15 December 2020

Frogs surviving the flames: Citizen scientists reveal frogs calling across the fire zone

We have made a big leap in our understanding of how frogs respond to fire, thanks to citizen scientists across Australia!

28 September 2020

Central panel of rock art showing hand and axe stencils (photo credit: Amy Way)

This month in Archaeology: Blue Mountains rock art galleries threatened by fire

Less than 100 km to the west of Sydney, a phenomenal rock art record survives in thousands of Blue Mountains rock shelters. These rock art sites hold significant cultural and heritage values and high research potential.

1 July 2020

Western Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) observed along the south coast of Western Australia

Moving south: how fishes are adapting to climate change

Moving south may be the best protection for marine fish in the face of rising ocean temperatures, but how far south can they go?

29 January 2020

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Australian Museum Research Institute

Welcome new fanged friend: A new species of Fanged Frog discovered in Cambodia

From the forests of northeastern Cambodia, another frog species new to science is scientifically named!

10 December 2020

Why we need to get taxonomy right

Taxonomy and systematics comprise the describing, naming and classifying the natural world. By classifying the natural world, we can understand a species origins and interrelationships. So how do we get it right, and how do we get it wrong? We explore the world of marine invertebrates for more.

8 December 2020

Nancibella quintalae, until now thought to be extinct

Rare snail species found alive on Norfolk Island after 130 years

The tiny, enigmatic snail was last collected in 1889 and is currently listed as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So, we were very excited to find Nancibella quintalae alive on Norfolk Island!

4 December 2020

Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

“Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land” is an important statement within First Nations communities.

By Laura McBride

Whose history: the role of statues and monuments in Australia

The removal of statues of racists, such as Cecil Rhodes or statues that celebrate racist history in the United States, England and Africa has created discussions in Australia around what should be done its statues and monuments of invaders and colonists.

8 May 2020

Newly established conservation areas, Malaita, Solomon Islands

Four conservation areas successfully mapped in Malaita, Solomon Islands and Bougainville

Three conservation areas in Malaita and one in Bougainville have been mapped by local community members, a move that is pivotal to protecting the biodiversity of the Solomon Islands.

7 February 2020