Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

Dr David Pawson (left) of the Smithsonian Institution demonstrates the finer points of echinoderm identification to NIWA staff Niki Davey, Owen Anderson, and Kate Neill.

NIWA is constantly developing its species identification capabilities, which are fundamental to aquatic biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring.

Last April, NIWA staff Owen Anderson, Kate Neill, and Niki Davey visited the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC to sharpen their echinoderm ID skills.

New Zealand is home to more than 500 described echinoderm species, including kina and other sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and sea lilies.

Identification of echinoderms is important to biodiversity studies of deepsea and seamount communities, where they play a key role, and for distinguishing between native and alien species in coastal areas.

The scientists were hosted by ex-pat Kiwi Dr David Pawson, a world expert in echinoderm taxonomy and former Smithsonian director. Dr Pawson and sea star expert Dr Chris Mah kick-started the team with an intensive training workshop before letting them loose on the Smithsonian’s global echinoderm collections. Owen focused on sea urchins, Kate on starfish, and Niki on sea cucumbers.

The trio are using their newfound expertise on echinoderm specimens collected during biodiversity and biosecurity surveys in New Zealand and Antarctic waters.