Molecular Systematics Unit
The Molecular Systematics Unit facilitates the collection and analysis of molecular data from the Museum’s fauna collections, to expand knowledge of specimens and the diversity of life.
The Molecular Systematics Unit facilitates the collection and analysis of molecular data retrieved from the Museum’s fauna collections.
The application of molecular techniques and tools, such as sequencing DNA, has become usual for institutions that are interested in understanding organisms, and their diversity, habitats, biology, ancestral connections, and species origins.
The Molecular Systematics Unit facility consists of a range of equipment for low and high throughput analyses, and a dedicated team of research, and laboratory staff.
By extracting DNA from specimen tissue samples and carrying out molecular analyses, the unit aims to reconstruct the evolutionary history and broaden scientific understandings of Western Australian fauna, complementing and leveraging information from existing Museum collections.
The unit works closely with Museum collection and research staff, other researchers, consulting agencies, and government services in a range of research and service activities.
News and content
A publication into the reef-building hard coral biodiversity of the Kimberley region has revealed the importance of the Kimberley region as a nationally significant reservoir of tropical coral biodiversity.
A group of Uunguu Rangers from Wunambal Gaambera Country in the North Kimberley have taken part in an Emerging Curators Workshop at Western Australian Museum’s Collection and Research Centre to exchange cultural and scientific knowledge.
A research team led by Dr Mark Harvey from the Western Australian Museum’s Terrestrial Zoology department has discovered two new species of trapdoor spiders, bringing the total of named trapdoor spiders to over 200 in WA.
