Recent News
Photos: Lions Club Gas-O-Rama FundraiserSaturday, February 13, 2021
The Hamilton Lions Club, BZS Junior Volunteers and Rubis Terceira North Shore Gas Station are helping to raise money for Vision Bermuda and the Bermuda Zoological Society, with the 52nd annual Gas-O-Rama taking place today [Feb 13] at the gas station in Devonshire.
‘The Hunt’ Was On For Families Over Holiday
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Over 80 families registered ‘The Hunt’, and those taking part have been able to experience and learn more about their island they thought they knew so well.
Rubis calendars will now be sold
Tuesday, December 08, 2020
After 42 years of being free, the Rubis calendar will now cost $5 each.
Aquarium junior volunteers get chance to complete programme
Thursday, December 03, 2020
Pupils enrolled in a competitive volunteer programme through the Bermuda Zoological Society have been given a second chance to complete it in the wake of Covid-19.
Bermuda Turtle Project Continues Research
Monday, October 15, 2018
The Bermuda Zoological Society in partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy completed another research and education programme this year, with the Bermuda Turtle Project committed to the goal of promoting the conservation of marine turtlesthrough research and education.
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Latest News
All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
By Owain Johnston-Barnes
Published Dec. 3, 2013 at 8:00 am (Updated Dec. 2, 2013 at 10:33 pm)
The yellowfin chromis, one of two species recently recognised
as being endemic to Bermuda by the Smithsonian Institution.
A pair of Bermuda fish species have been recognised by the Smithsonian Institution as being unique to Bermuda’s waters.
The yellowfin chromis and the Collette’s halfbeak have been classified as endemic to Bermuda in an update to the authoritative 1999 Fishes of Bermuda publication. Both species have been known in Bermuda’s waters for some time but were only recently determined to be endemic.
Report writers William Smith-Vaniz and Bruce Collette also identified differences between the endemic Bermuda creole wrasse and its Caribbean relatives, suggesting they may also prove to be endemic.
“We recently became aware of two colour photographs, one of a school and the other of a single individual ... of wrasses from Bermuda (Lucas 2012) identified as clepticus parrae,” the researchers wrote.
The Collette’s halfbeak, one of two species recently recognised as being endemic
to Bermuda by the Smithsonian Institution. ((Photo credit to Heidi M. Banford))
“Terminal phase adults are distinctive in having very elongate outer caudal-fin rays, mostly solid blue body and fins and a bright yellow snout. We predict that subsequent research will show these fish to be another Bermuda endemic. All records of clepticus parrae from Bermuda apparently are based on misidentification of this undescribed clepticus.”
They noted the terminal male yellowhead wrasse, called “Redbacks” locally, have different colouration than its counterparts elsewhere in the region.
The Smithsonian also listed several species not previously known to reside in Bermuda, such as the whitenose pipefish, the roughtail stingray, a deepwater opah and blackear wrasse.
A Bermuda Zoological Society spokeswoman said: “In all, 24 new records were listed, and five older records have been discounted as errors, reminding us that we still have much to discover about life on our reefs and that diligent citizen scientists, fishermen and naturalists all have key roles to play.”
The research paper is available at the Natural History Museum Library at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.