The Anthony J. Whitten (1953–2017) Memorial Issue
“In the last 10 days I’ve been told that two beetles have been named after me, something I find very flattering. … One is a blind, long-legged cave-restricted beetle, and the other is a dung beetle. But before you scoff too loudly, remember that in Ancient Egypt the dung beetles or scarabs were objects of
READ MOREThe Guardian of the Zoological Reference Collection – Mrs. Yang Changman
Every year on 18 July, the United Nations observes Nelson Mandela International Day, commemorating his life and legacy and calling for people all over the world to make a difference in their community. On this day, we would like to dedicate a post to Mrs. Yang Changman, former curator at the Department of Zoology at
READ MOREStories from Christmas Island – The elusive Labuanium vitatum
Somewhere in Christmas Island resides a cryptic tree-climbing crab (Labuanium vitatum), commonly known as the white-stripe crab. With bright purple claws, a purplish body and neon-yellow eyes, it should not be hard to spot. However, even the most seasoned crab catcher has had no luck finding it. The head of the museum, Prof. Peter Ng,
READ MOREResearch Highlights – Singapore Swamp Skink (New Species)
For the past two decades, herpetologists had been unsure about the taxonomic status of a diminutive freshwater swamp-dwelling skink from Singapore. It had been known as ‘Sphenomorphus sp.’, and then as ‘Tytthoscincus cf. sibuensis’, as it resembles Tytthoscincus sibuensis from neighbouring Johor in Malaysia. However, latest research published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (click
READ MOREA Step Closer to Solving A 100-Year Mystery
Mammalogists may be one step closer towards solving a conundrum that has been a subject of much uncertainty for almost a hundred years—on whether Tragulus williamsoni, or Williamson’s mouse-deer, is a valid and distinct species. Mouse-deer, or chevrotains are some of the world’s smallest hoofed animals. Research findings by mammalogists Dr. Erik Meijaard, Mr.
READ MOREVisiting Scientist(s) Feature: Mammalogist Edition
In this feature, we give a short summary of the work of two mammalogists that have visited the museum a while back. Mr. Lim Tze Tshen Mr. Lim Tze Tshen is a research associate at the University of Malaysia, focusing on biodiversity conservation and vertebrate palaeontology. As a palaeontologist, Mr. Lim studies fossils, from common ones
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