Exploring missing marine biodiversity

This year, the 24th Annual Plymouth Marine Science Lecture, held at the University of Plymouth, entitled ‘ The Magnitude of Marine Biodiversity: towards a quarter of a million species but not enough copepods!’ will be given by Professor Geoff Boxshall FRS of the Natural History Museum, London. The talk will explore missing marine biodiversity and attempt to answer three questions: Where might the undescribed species be found' How do they live' How many species might we eventually find' Professor Boxshall said: “ Our knowledge of marine diversity is continuing to grow and we are now better able to estimate how many unknown species are out there….and what groups they belong to. Whilst the largest groups of marine life are the molluscs (snails and clams), crustaceans (crabs and shrimps) and fish there are still many species to discover. Professor Stephen de Mora, Chair of Trustees of the Plymouth Marine Sciences Education Fund (PMSEF) which is hosting the lecture, said : “Professor Boxshall is a world-renowned researcher in the Department of Zoology at the Natural History Museum. He has described more than 200 new species and published over 200 scientific papers. We are delighted that he will be giving this year’s Marine Science lecture. The 24th Annual Plymouth Marine Science Lecture will take place on Tuesday, 12 October at 6.30pm in the Devonport Lecture Theatre, Portland Square, University of Plymouth.