Cane toads, courtship and Quinn

Thursday, 3 September 2015 - 8:30am to 9:00am
Look into the eyes of the toad—the cane toad, Bufo marinus (Photo by Sam Fraser-Smith, via Wikimedia Commons)

The cane toad, Bufo marinus, is arguably the most hated pest in Australia (although some argue for the Common Myna), but how did it get here? Find out how it was introduced as a misguided attempt at a biological control, and why that went horribly wrong.

To balance them out with some more attractive animals—or at least, animals trying to be attractive—we take a look at some bizarre courtship displays, such as those of the satin bowerbird, the Adélie penguin, Anna's hummingbird, the kakapo (although they sometimes prefer zoologists), the marine flatworm and the giraffe. Um, NSFW, I guess.

Helen Quinn (Photo by Lubos Motl, via Wikimedia Commons)
Finally, we talk about the life and work of Helen Quinn, possibly the most important theoretical particle physicist to come out of Australia, and whose theories may be the solution to dark matter.
Claire, Chris & Stu
Thursday 8:30am to 9:00am
Entertaining news and discussion about research that has impact on society and providing a wide range of science and technology news. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

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Chris Lassig, Stuart Burns and Claire Farrugia and others.

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