A Mini-Exhibition in Hamilton is open until December 3, 2023
Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, September 8, 2023
Crabs, shrimps, lobsters, barnacles, slaters and other crustaceans are the stars of a new mini-exhibition presented by Waikato Museum (Te Whare Taonga o Waikato), NIWA and Te Papa.
Opened yesterday, September 8 2023, Clever Crustaceans (Mawhiti Tino Rawe) is a playful exploration of five marine crustaceans’ bizarre and diverse world.
They can change their shape, circle the globe, and maybe even cure cancer.
Crustaceans are the unsung heroes of the sea.
From barnacles with superglue to slaters in the backyard, visitors will be able to explore the unique features of five marine crustaceans and take a dive into their world.
Adapted for survival in water and on dry land, the intricacies of these curious creatures are revealed by a digital microscope, while the digital labels and five physical interactives will extend the experience for visitors young and old.
Insects of the Sea
“We are very excited to be hosting Clever Crustaceans and give Hamiltonians the opportunity to explore the fascinating underwater world of these unusual creatures. Rich with scientific research, the exhibition features hands-on interactives and real specimens. We are sure that it will entertain curious minds of all ages,” Liz Cotton, Director of Museum and Arts at the Waikato Museum said.
NIWA scientists Rachael Peart and Kareen Schnabel worked with Te Papa experts to deliver this mini-exhibition showcasing the importance and special capabilities of the ‘insects of the sea.’
“Crustaceans are arthropods, meaning that they have segmented bodies and exoskeletons like insects. I love describing them as the ‘insects of the sea.’ They are captivating creatures. They have adapted to live in an incredible variety of habitats, from beaches and shallows, all the way down to the deepest ocean trenches,” said Dr Schnabel.
Heroes of the ecosystem
“We are thrilled to highlight these unsung heroes of our ecosystem. We want visitors to touch, explore and discover these weird and wonderful crustaceans of New Zealand. We were inspired by the work of scientists to understand and protect these crustaceans and their homes, and we’re so excited to partner with NIWA on this special project,” Dan Parke, Exhibition Experience Developer, Te Papa said.
“We are telling the stories of some of our favourite critters. Visitors will learn about the ‘shapeshifter’ Kōura (salt-water crayfish) with its unexpected life stages as a long-distance open-ocean wanderer, the lightning speed with which the native mantis shrimp spears its lunch, the exceptional eyesight of the open ocean ‘Phronima’ amphipod, which is even being used in techniques to detect cancer in humans – and the radical changes barnacles have undergone to get their kai (food),” adds Dr Schnabel.
Created by Te Papa in collaboration with NIWA (Taihoro Nukurangi), Clever Crustaceans is open daily at Waikato Museum from September 8 to December 3, 2023, and entry is free.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
