Close up view of the head of a robber fly. Image: Sarah
McCaffrey Source: Museum Victoria MV's Sciences Department
staff, students and volunteers research many questions about the
diversity and origins of the fauna and geology of Australasia
and surrounding oceans. Drawing from the museum's vast and
extraordinary collections, the department works across four
broad disciplines: Taxonomic issues investigated range from the
discovery and description of new species to resolving
relationships between species, genera, families and orders.
These findings are then used to further understand the origins,
evolution and biogeographical distribution of the Australasian
fauna. Documenting the diversity within and between populations
of a species is also an important area of research. Integration
of information from all these sources contributes to debate and
planning for species conservation and ecosystem management.
Palaeontological and geological research provides further
insights through an understanding of past faunas