#Otago Museum

[drhoz]

#2829 - Psephophorus terryprachetti - Pterry's Giant Pturtle

A very large, extinct, leatherback turtle from the Eocene, named after beloved author Terry Pratchett. He was pleased about this, saying that anybody that wasn't delighted about getting a species named after them was clearly a Pod being from the Planet Zog.

The first fossils from the genus were discovered by German Paleontologist Christian Erich Hermann von Meyer in 1846, but all he had were the dermal plates (not that different from the fossil above, really). That's probably why even by 1879, they still weren't clear on what it actually was - British paleotologist Harry Govier Seeley thought they resembled the armour of an armadillo.

The Pturtle was discovered in New Zealand in the 1990s. It would have been 2.5m long, in life.

Sadly, there's only one Dermochelyid turtle left in the world - the Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea, which is critically endangered in some areas. Leatherbacks are unique compared to other modern sea turtles because they lack a bony shell; instead, its carapace is covered by oily flesh and flexible, leathery skin. They're also the deepest-diving and fastest reptiles in the world, swimming down to over 1200m depth, at speeds of up to 35kph. Their constant activity and internal adaptations lets them run at a surprisingly high internal temperature - 18C above the surrounding water.

The biggest threat to leatherback survival is, unfortunately, humanity - hatchlings can be confused by artificial light and head inland instead of towards the water, older turtles are easily caught in fishing nets, and they can confuse plastic bags floating in the water for the jellyfish that form the bulk of their diet.

Otago Museum, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.

[theultimatenaturelover]

Kaiwhekea katiki, an aproximately 7 meter long plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous. A single, nearly complete fossils found in Katiki Formation is now in the Otago Museum in Dunedin, New Zealand.

It's head shape is so weird istg. I thought it would be a fun idea to make it's tail similarly colored as it's head so it would make it hard for it's prey to know wether they're looking at the back or front lol.

[world-beauty]

Andromeda in Southern Skies

Credits: Ian Griffin, Otago Museum

[apod]

2023 December 23

A December Summer Night Image Credit & Copyright: Ian Griffin (Otago Museum)

Explanation: Colours of a serene evening sky are captured in this 8 minute exposure, made near this December's solstice from New Zealand, southern hemisphere, planet Earth. Looking south, star trails form the short concentric arcs around the rotating planet's south celestial pole positioned just off the top of the frame. At top and left of center are trails of the Southern Cross stars and a dark smudge from the Milky Way's Coalsack Nebula. Alpha and Beta Centauri make the brighter yellow and blue tinted trails, reflected below in the waters of Hoopers Inlet in the Pacific coast of the South Island's Otago Peninsula. On that short December summer night, aurora australis also gave luminous, green and reddish hues to the sky above the hills. An upper atmospheric glow distinct from the aurora excited by collisions with energetic particles, pale greenish bands of airglow caused by a cascade of chemical reactions excited by sunlight can be traced in diagonal bands near the top left.

∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231223.html

[onichophora]

Jewelled Gecko (Naultinus gemmeus), endemic to the southern half of the South Island. This particular individual was kept in a display at the Otago Museum, this female, I'm guessing as she has the "jewels" that males don't usually have, came up to the glass when I wiggled my finger at her.

[trendingjournals]

World's Rarest Whale Washes Up On New Zealand Beach

The body of a spade-toothed whale — a species so rare it has never been seen alive — appears to have washed up on a New Zealand beach, scientists say.

The remains of the obscure, five-metre (16.4 foot) long, beaked creature were found near a river mouth in southern Otago province on July 4, government researchers said.

It was identified by marine-mammal experts from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and the national museum, Te Papa, as a male spade-toothed whale.

A DNA investigation has been launched to confirm its classification, the scientists said.

“Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times,” said the conservation department’s coastal Otago operations manager, Gabe Davies.

“Since the 1800s, only six samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand,” Davies said in a statement Monday.

“From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge.”

The find was fresh enough to offer the first opportunity for a spade-toothed whale to be dissected, the conservation department said.

The species is “so rare next to nothing is known about them”, it said.

The body of the whale has been placed in cold storage and genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland as curators of the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive.

It may take several weeks or months for the DNA to be processed and a final identification confirmed.

“The rarity of the whale means conversations around what to do next will take more time because it is a conversation of international importance,” the conservation department said.

The species was first described in 1874 from just a lower jaw and two teeth collected from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand.

That sample, along with skeletal remains of two other specimens found in New Zealand and Chile, enabled scientists to confirm a new species.

Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said researchers would study the whale’s stomach contents, genetics, and how this sample compared to previous ones.

This could shine light on the whales’ behaviour, their population and why they are so rare, Pirotta told AFP, describing the discovery as “like hitting the jackpot”.

Because so few specimens have been found and there have been no live sightings, little is known about the spade-toothed whale and it is classified as “data deficient” under New Zealand’s Threat Classification System.

The first intact specimen was from a mother and calf stranding in Bay of Plenty in 2010, the New Zealand conservation department said.

A further stranding in 2017 in Gisborne added one more specimen to the collection.

[gaylordthethird]

Did you know there is a rat king in otago museum? Now you do!

[loveydovey-leviathan]

Below is a list of events happening in New Zealand in support of Palestine. All events can be found on the official PSNA website (Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa).

North Island Opononi – Gathering for Palestine Sunday 28 April 1:30 pm Outside the Four Square, Opononi Kerikeri, Bay of Islands - Rally Rally on the First Saturday of the month from now on Next Rally Saturday May 4 Whangarei – Rally Saturday 27 April 11:00 am Whangārei Town Basin in front of Hundertwasser Building  Auckland – TVNZ Picket – TVNZ’s Jack Tame Platforming Genocide Friday 26 April 12:00 mid-day TVNZ - 100 Victoria Street West Auckland  Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau Saturday 27 April (Delayed from last week due to high winds) 10:00 am Gather at the Market Road Overbridge. Plans to go to (dependant on numbers):

Pedestrian motorway overbridge at Mauranui Ave – Dilworth Road

Omahu Road overbridge

Text Steve on 021 256 511 For further details Auckland – Rally Sunday 28 April 2:00 pm Te Komititanga – Britomart Square Tauranga – Rally Every second Sunday. Next Rally Saturday May 4 10:30 am Watch this space Tauranga – Flag waving Sunday 28 April 11:00 am Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui Hamilton - Rally Saturday 27 April 1:00 pm Flynn Park, Hamilton Rotorua – Flags for Todd McClay Thursday 25 April 4:00 pm National MP Todd McClays Office - 1301 Amohau St, Rotorua Napier - Rally Saturday 27 April 11:30 am Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout Hastings - Rally Sunday 28 April 2:00 pm Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD Palmerston North - Rally Sunday 28 April 2:00 pm The Square, Palmerston North New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge Friday 26 April 4:30 pm Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth New Plymouth – Rally Saturday 27 April 1:00 pm The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth Whanganui - Rally Saturday 27 April 11:00 am Riverside Market, Whanganui Whanganui – (Kite) Flying Prayers for Palestine Sunday 28 April 1:00 – 2:00 pm Castlecliff Beach Carterton Every Tuesday 12:00 midday Memorial Square. Martinborough – Gathering for Palestine Every Wednesday 11:00 am The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough Featherston Every Saturday 11:00 am The Squircle (opposite the op shop). Wellington No Rally this weekend South Island Nelson – Rally Check out the Te Tau Ihu Palestine Solidarity Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TeTIPalestine/ Takaka – Information and Networking Gathering Saturday 27 April 10:30 am Village Green, Takaka Blenheim Saturday 27 April 11:00 am Blenheim Railway Station Christchurch – Rally Saturday 27 April 1:00 pm Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street Dunedin - Rally Saturday 27 April 2:00 pm Otago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin Queenstown - Rally NOTE – Next Sunday May 5 1:00 pm Earnslaw Park, Queenstown Invercargill - Rally Friday 26 April 5:30 pm Wachner place Invercargill

.

There will also be a PSNA National Meeting 18/19 May 2024 in Auckland.

[the-bonclave]

What's amazing is this is its closest living relative:

(Maned Wolf, wikicommons)

And this somehow isn't:

(Short-eared dog, Renata Leite Pitman)

And this extinct thing (Falkland Wolf, Tūhura Otago Museum)

is the most related to Tall Wolf. None of which are wolves, btw. They're the next group over.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121449.htm

No, you can’t pet that dog. ✋ Introducing the bush dog (Speothos venaticus)! This rare canid is so elusive that it was once known only from fossils and thought to be long extinct. It inhabits parts of South America from Panama to northern Argentina, where it can be found in packs of up to 12 individuals. With partially webbed feet, this critter is a skilled swimmer and spends much of its time around water. It hunts for a variety of rodents including agoutis, pacas, and capybaras.

Photo: Tambako The Jaguar, CC BY-ND 2.0, flickr

[cllnsllvn]

Dunedin - Thursday

Today was another museum day! This morning, I went to the Tuhura Otago Museum, which has quite a few free exhibits and then a few that require tickets. With the time I had set out for the day, I went through the free ones, though I was sorely tempted by the butterfly garden and planetarium. This feels like more of your "traditional" museum, as compared to the Settlers Museum, as far as layout, exhibit, etc. That included this big ol' whale skeleton in the maritime section, surrounded by model boats.

The skeleton was actually a juvenile whale - only 17 metres when they can get to 27 metres long. Here are a few things I liked enough to take photos - lego reconstruction of the Life Magazine cover of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Mount Everest, a large ceramic pot with elephant heads for handles, a lego $10 note, an articulated seal skeleton and fur, a giant croc in the middle of the hall, the largest f-ing crab I have ever seen (apes for scale), and this great quote about beauty standards: "In the West, people subject themselves to dangerous diets, high-risk surgery, and inadvertent poisoning from drugs, in search of the elusive 'improvement.'"

After the museum, a quick lunch (where I overheard the most bizarre conversation - a woman seemed to tell a museum tour guide that native American tribes never fought each other before the Europeans came), and a short jaunt, I headed back to Toitū Otago Settlers Museum to finish out the exhibits I didn't get to see yesterday.

Faves included the big old computer from Dunedin City Council, the collection of old cars, and the dentist sign indicating to eat a crisp fruit or vegetable immediately after every meal to clean your teeth. After the museum, I headed a few minutes down the road to Noisy Brewing Company to try a few of their beers.

I tried the four with the blue dots, and the winner, far and away, was the white stout. I think it is one of the best beers I have ever had. It's described "looks like a pale ale but tastes like a stout w/ coffee, cacao, and vanilla." So true - one of the strongest coffee flavours in a stout I've ever had. So good.

[travelbestindia]

Explore New Zealand in 2025: Your Ultimate Tour Package

If you're planning your New Zealand vacation for 2025, you're in for an unforgettable experience! From the rolling green hills of the North Island to the rugged mountains and fjords of the South Island, New Zealand is packed with stunning landscapes, rich Maori culture, and endless outdoor adventures. Here's a sneak peek into what your New Zealand tour could look like:

Duration: 7 to 14 Days Available Throughout 2025 Tour Types: Customizable (Luxury, Adventure, Honeymoon, Family, Nature)

Highlights of the New Zealand Tour Package:

Majestic Landscapes & Scenic Wonders

Take a scenic road trip through the Southern Alps and witness breathtaking views of the towering peaks and crystal-clear lakes.

Explore Fiordland National Park, home to the stunning Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound—two of the most beautiful fjords in the world.

Adventure & Outdoor Activities

Thrill-seekers can visit Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the world, for activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and jet boating.

Tongariro National Park offers some of the best hikes, including the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

For water lovers, enjoy kayaking, swimming with dolphins, and whale watching in places like Kaikoura and Bay of Islands.

Cultural Experiences

Immerse yourself in Maori culture by visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds or experiencing a traditional Maori Hāngi feast.

Explore Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity, where you can visit hot springs and witness the colorful Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland.

The North Island's Natural Wonders

Explore the stunning beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula, such as Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own hot spring pool.

Visit Hobbiton in Matamata, where fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can step into the world of the Shire.

Discover Lake Taupo and the nearby Huka Falls for picturesque views and outdoor adventures.

The South Island's Natural Beauty

Take a scenic flight over Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, or go stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.

Explore the Wanaka region, home to the famous Wanaka Tree and a gateway to amazing hiking trails and picturesque lakeside vistas.

Unwind and Explore the Cities

Experience the cosmopolitan feel of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, with its vibrant food scene, shopping, and Sky Tower views.

Explore Wellington, the creative capital, where you can visit Te Papa Museum and enjoy stunning views from Mount Victoria.

Christchurch, the "Garden City," offers tranquil gardens, local markets, and a blend of old and new architecture.

Gastronomy & Wine Tasting

Savor New Zealand’s world-class wine regions, including Marlborough and Central Otago, known for their Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Taste delicious local dishes like Pavlova, Meat Pies, and Green-lipped Mussels at traditional restaurants and wineries.

Optional Day Trips and Excursions

Hop over to Stewart Island for birdwatching and a chance to see the elusive kiwi bird in its natural habitat.

Take a trip to the Catlins Coast for dramatic coastal views, waterfalls, and wildlife like sea lions and penguins.

What's Included in the Package:

Airport transfers

Accommodation options (from budget to luxury)

Breakfast daily

Guided tours & activities

Adventure excursions (e.g., bungee jumping, skydiving, etc.)

Cultural and nature tours

Wine tasting & food experiences

Transport throughout New Zealand

Why Famous:

Adventure seekers looking for heart-pumping activities

Nature lovers wanting to immerse themselves in New Zealand’s landscapes

Film buffs visiting Hobbiton and other famous movie locations

Families enjoying both fun and relaxation

Honeymooners seeking a mix of adventure and romance

Why Choose Our New Zealand Tour Package in 2025?

Tailored Itineraries: Customize your trip to match your interests, whether it's nature, adventure, or relaxation.

Expert Guides: Knowledgeable guides who offer insider information about the culture and history of New Zealand.

Unforgettable Experiences: From skydiving over Lake Taupo to cruising Milford Sound, every moment will be special.

Hassle-Free Travel: Sit back and relax while we organize all your travel details.

Ready to start your New Zealand adventure? Book your 2025 trip now at Travel Best India and explore the natural beauty, culture, and thrill that New Zealand has to offer.

[drhoz]

#2799 - Hyalonema mirabilis - Glass Rope Sponge

Another glass sponge, best known from the long stalk that looks like a bundle of fiber optic cable several feet long. The intact animal has a cup-shaped mass of more glass fibers and living tissue, floating at the top of the stalk.

(Hyalonema sp., 448 m Triceratops, South Atlantic Bight. Photo by S. Brooke et al., NOAA-OE, HBOI. Identification by J. Reed.)

Given how poorly known deep sea life is even today, it's not so surprising tjat early marine biologists got very excited when species they thought lived only on the other side of the world could also be found much closer to home (albeit at 400 fathoms). See this paper by Perceval Wright in 1870 - he'd been assured that Hyalonema mirabilis specimens collected off Portugal were more likely thrown overboard from some ship coming from Japan than actually found there. Happily for his research, his colleague was wrong.

Otago Museum, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand

[world-beauty]

SOFIA s Southern Lights

Credits: Ian Griffin, Otago Museum

[apod]

2023 September 23

Afternoon Analemma Image Credit & Copyright: Ian Griffin (Otago Museum)

Explanation: An analemma is that figure-8 curve you get when you mark the position of the Sun at the same time each day for one year. To make this one, a 4x5 pinhole camera was set up looking north in southern New Zealand skies. The shutter was briefly opened each clear day in the afternoon at 4pm local time exposing the same photosensitized glass plate for the year spanning September 23, 2022 to September 19, 2023. On two days, the winter and summer solstices, the shutter was opened again 15 minutes after the main exposure and remained open until sunset to create the sun trails at the bottom and top of the curve. The equinox dates correspond to positions in the middle of the curve, not the crossover point. Of course, the curve itself is inverted compared to an analemma traced from the northern hemisphere. And while fall begins today at the Autumnal Equinox for the northern hemisphere, it's the Spring Equinox in the south.

∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap230923.html

[hayaam1230]

The top 6 cities to visit in New Zealand

Discovering New Zealand, country with remarkable scenery and lively customs, provides visitors with variety of varied experiences. Every city has its own unique beauty and attractions, which include lively urban centres to peaceful natural wonders. The best six cities in New Zealand are covered in this book, where you can experience the culture of the Maori people, take in beautiful coastal views, and partake in excellent eating and adventure activities. Cities offer the ideal beginning places for an amazing Kiwi tour, whether you're looking for adventure, culture, or relaxation.

Securing the required travel paperwork is just one of the numerous tasks that need to be carefully planned while travelling to New Zealand's amazing scenery and energetic towns. Regardless of whether you are applying New Zealand visa from Dubai or New Zealand visa from Abu Dhabi, getting a New Zealand visa is a simple process for UAE citizens. New Zealand Visa Application Centres are situated in these cities, or you can apply online. Essential documentation, including a current passport, evidence of financial stability, and trip plan data, must be submitted by applicants. When a visa is approved, it provides easy access to all of New Zealand's best holiday locations, including the lively capital of Auckland and the action-packed Queenstown, guaranteeing a simple and unforgettable trip.

Here are the top 6 cities to visit in New Zealand:

Auckland: Auckland, sometimes called the "City of Sails," is the biggest and most diverse city in New Zealand. It is famous for beautiful harbours, such as Manukau and Waitemata, as well as for being close to some of most gorgeous beaches and hiking routes. With extensive number of theatres, museums, and galleries, including Auckland Art Gallery and the New Zealand Maritime Museum, city is home to a growing arts and culture scene.

Wellington: Wellington, nation's capital, is well-known for its lively nightlife, rich history, and arts scene. Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's national museum, provides an in-depth exploration of the country's cultural and natural assets. Museum is located in the city, nestled between rolling hills and a lovely harbour. Wellington, which is home to the Parliament buildings, including the recognisable Beehive, is also the political centre of the country.

Queenstown: Queenstown, dubbed the adventure capital of New Zealand, is a haven for thrill-seekers. With the incredible Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu as a dramatic background, Queenstown is home to many heart-pounding winter sports and extreme sports including skydiving, bungee jumping, jet boating, and skiing. Queenstown is known for adventure, but it also provides luxury and relaxation, with world-class wines in the neighbouring Gibbston Valley, luxury resorts, and exquisite dining establishments.

Christchurch: Referred to as the "Garden City," Christchurch is famous for its exquisite gardens and parks as well as its creative reconstruction efforts in the wake of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The city successfully combines a strong sense of modernity with its rich English tradition. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, and the gorgeous Avon River—where punting is a popular pastime—are also enjoyed by visitors.

Rotorua: The North Island's Rotorua is well-known for its geothermal activities and vibrant Maori culture. The city, especially in locations like TePuia and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, provides unique geothermal attractions like bubbling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs. City's proximity to Lake Rotorua offers additional chances for fishing, boat tours, and water sports.

Dunedin: Famous for its strong Scottish lineage, Dunedin is a beautiful city with a variety of historical and architectural passageways. University of Otago, oldest university in New Zealand, is located there, giving the city a more active and youthful feel. The beautiful Dunedin Railway Station, the storied Larnach Castle, and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery are all open to visitors.

Conclusion:

Discovering top six cities in New Zealand reveals combination of beautiful scenery, interesting past, and lively culture. Every city offers different aspect of makes New Zealand such an attractive travel destination, thanks to unique mix of experiences and attractions. Every destination offers life-changing experiences, geothermal wonders of Rotorua to urban flare of Auckland and Wellington, calm beauty of Queenstown, historic attract of Christchurch, and seaside attraction of Dunedin. Discover New Zealand is hailed as traveller's paradise around globe as you explore these varied urban treasures.

[crossbordernarratives]

World's Rarest Whale Washes Up On New Zealand Beach

The body of a spade-toothed whale -- a species so rare it has never been seen alive -- appears to have washed up on a New Zealand beach, scientists say.

The remains of the obscure, five-metre (16.4 foot) long, beaked creature were found near a river mouth in southern Otago province on July 4, government researchers said.

It was identified by marine-mammal experts from New Zealand's Department of Conservation and the national museum, Te Papa, as a male spade-toothed whale.

A DNA investigation has been launched to confirm its classification, the scientists said.

"Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times," said the conservation department's coastal Otago operations manager, Gabe Davies.

"Since the 1800s, only six samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand," Davies said in a statement Monday.

"From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge."

The find was fresh enough to offer the first opportunity for a spade-toothed whale to be dissected, the conservation department said.

The species is "so rare next to nothing is known about them", it said.

The body of the whale has been placed in cold storage and genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland as curators of the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive.

It may take several weeks or months for the DNA to be processed and a final identification confirmed.

"The rarity of the whale means conversations around what to do next will take more time because it is a conversation of international importance," the conservation department said.

The species was first described in 1874 from just a lower jaw and two teeth collected from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand.

That sample, along with skeletal remains of two other specimens found in New Zealand and Chile, enabled scientists to confirm a new species.

Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said researchers would study the whale's stomach contents, genetics, and how this sample compared to previous ones.

This could shine light on the whales' behaviour, their population and why they are so rare, Pirotta told AFP, describing the discovery as "like hitting the jackpot".

Because so few specimens have been found and there have been no live sightings, little is known about the spade-toothed whale and it is classified as "data deficient" under New Zealand's Threat Classification System.

The first intact specimen was from a mother and calf stranding in Bay of Plenty in 2010, the New Zealand conservation department said.

A further stranding in 2017 in Gisborne added one more specimen to the collection.