MBA Library
@nmbluk.bsky.social
National Marine Biological Library, based @thembauk.bsky.social. A place to access our electronic and printed collections, to ask for help, or just to work in peace
https://www.mba.ac.uk/our-facilities/library/
https://www.mba.ac.uk/our-facilities/library/
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MBA Library
@nmbluk.bsky.social
· Dec 4
Hello Everyone! We're super excited to be here. @thembauk.bsky.social was established 140 years ago, and there has been a library on site at the Citadel Hill laboratory ever since it opened in 1888! We're looking forward to sharing our stories with you #library #books
Reposted by MBA Library
Back from a very successful trip to the IOM speaking with locals and visiting archives to piece together historical accounts of the herring fishery. We stumbled across these beautiful title page illustrations of marine biological station reports based on Puffin island in the late 1800s
November 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Back from a very successful trip to the IOM speaking with locals and visiting archives to piece together historical accounts of the herring fishery. We stumbled across these beautiful title page illustrations of marine biological station reports based on Puffin island in the late 1800s
More of the @dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social birthday bash - featuring, our Head of Data and IT, the library and a floppy disk (aka the save icon) 💾
DASSH has been running for 20 years. In 2005 people sometimes sent us their data on floppy disks… we've come a long way since then.
Find out more about DASSH here - www.dassh.ac.uk
Find out more about DASSH here - www.dassh.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
More of the @dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social birthday bash - featuring, our Head of Data and IT, the library and a floppy disk (aka the save icon) 💾
Happy Birthday to @dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social 🥳 Congratulations to our colleagues (and library mates) for 20 years of data excellence!
DASSH @dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social is 20 years old! But what is DASSH?
DASSH is the UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats data. It curates, manages and shares biodiversity records to make them accessible and maximise their reuse.
DASSH is the UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats data. It curates, manages and shares biodiversity records to make them accessible and maximise their reuse.
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Happy Birthday to @dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social 🥳 Congratulations to our colleagues (and library mates) for 20 years of data excellence!
Reposted by MBA Library
Why sequence every genome?
Annual Science Talk – Tuesday 2nd December 11:00-12:00 online or in person
This year's eminent marine expert is Professor Peter W H Holland FMBA FRS. A Linacre Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford.
mymba.mba.ac.uk/member-homep...
Annual Science Talk – Tuesday 2nd December 11:00-12:00 online or in person
This year's eminent marine expert is Professor Peter W H Holland FMBA FRS. A Linacre Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford.
mymba.mba.ac.uk/member-homep...
Annual Science Talk - Why sequence every genome?
Professor Peter Holland FMBA is Linacre Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford. Join us online or in person for his annual science talk.
mymba.mba.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Why sequence every genome?
Annual Science Talk – Tuesday 2nd December 11:00-12:00 online or in person
This year's eminent marine expert is Professor Peter W H Holland FMBA FRS. A Linacre Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford.
mymba.mba.ac.uk/member-homep...
Annual Science Talk – Tuesday 2nd December 11:00-12:00 online or in person
This year's eminent marine expert is Professor Peter W H Holland FMBA FRS. A Linacre Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford.
mymba.mba.ac.uk/member-homep...
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have discovered today is #WorldWalrusDay!
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have discovered today is #WorldWalrusDay!
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
#OTD in 1859 'On the Origin of Species' was published. We have a few different editions in the library @thembauk.bsky.social but we are privileged to be custodians of an early edition gifted to (a mystery) someone by Charles #Darwin himself
📖BS.15/D
📖BS.15/D
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
#OTD in 1859 'On the Origin of Species' was published. We have a few different editions in the library @thembauk.bsky.social but we are privileged to be custodians of an early edition gifted to (a mystery) someone by Charles #Darwin himself
📖BS.15/D
📖BS.15/D
Reposted by MBA Library
🌊🐟 Sea Spectacles returns! 🪼🫧
This month’s star: the St Piran’s Crab (Clibanarius erythropus) ✨
In 2016, BBC Springwatch held a contest to name this species — the winner was “St Piran’s Crab,” inspired by Cornwall’s sea-surviving patron saint.
@thembauk.bsky.social #DASSH #SeaSpectacles
This month’s star: the St Piran’s Crab (Clibanarius erythropus) ✨
In 2016, BBC Springwatch held a contest to name this species — the winner was “St Piran’s Crab,” inspired by Cornwall’s sea-surviving patron saint.
@thembauk.bsky.social #DASSH #SeaSpectacles
November 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🌊🐟 Sea Spectacles returns! 🪼🫧
This month’s star: the St Piran’s Crab (Clibanarius erythropus) ✨
In 2016, BBC Springwatch held a contest to name this species — the winner was “St Piran’s Crab,” inspired by Cornwall’s sea-surviving patron saint.
@thembauk.bsky.social #DASSH #SeaSpectacles
This month’s star: the St Piran’s Crab (Clibanarius erythropus) ✨
In 2016, BBC Springwatch held a contest to name this species — the winner was “St Piran’s Crab,” inspired by Cornwall’s sea-surviving patron saint.
@thembauk.bsky.social #DASSH #SeaSpectacles
Today is #WorldFisheriesDay and Nicky, one of fabulous library volunteers, has written a piece on @thembauk.bsky.social's history of fisheries research.
www.mba.ac.uk/the-marine-b...
www.mba.ac.uk/the-marine-b...
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Today is #WorldFisheriesDay and Nicky, one of fabulous library volunteers, has written a piece on @thembauk.bsky.social's history of fisheries research.
www.mba.ac.uk/the-marine-b...
www.mba.ac.uk/the-marine-b...
Who else loves a crisp, wintery feeling morning? We certainly do, but we're also very glad the library has heating!
#PlymouthSound #Devon
#PlymouthSound #Devon
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Who else loves a crisp, wintery feeling morning? We certainly do, but we're also very glad the library has heating!
#PlymouthSound #Devon
#PlymouthSound #Devon
Did you know that the original logo of @thembauk.bsky.social was inspired by the inlay on the library's main staircase.
The logo may have undergone an update in recent years, but it still retains the iconic seahorse as its focal point
The logo may have undergone an update in recent years, but it still retains the iconic seahorse as its focal point
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Did you know that the original logo of @thembauk.bsky.social was inspired by the inlay on the library's main staircase.
The logo may have undergone an update in recent years, but it still retains the iconic seahorse as its focal point
The logo may have undergone an update in recent years, but it still retains the iconic seahorse as its focal point
Thank you to @swrls.bsky.social for an insightful and educational visit to Exeter for the SWRLS event with AGM
We got so caught up in the cathedral archive and library tour we forgot to take pictures of the books! www.swrls.org.uk/post/swrls-a...
We got so caught up in the cathedral archive and library tour we forgot to take pictures of the books! www.swrls.org.uk/post/swrls-a...
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Thank you to @swrls.bsky.social for an insightful and educational visit to Exeter for the SWRLS event with AGM
We got so caught up in the cathedral archive and library tour we forgot to take pictures of the books! www.swrls.org.uk/post/swrls-a...
We got so caught up in the cathedral archive and library tour we forgot to take pictures of the books! www.swrls.org.uk/post/swrls-a...
Reposted by MBA Library
🌊🤖 Using Deep Learning to Unlock Decades of Marine Biodiversity Data! 🐠📊
DTO-BioFlow is using AI to analyse decades of marine biodiversity records - revealing insights that support ocean monitoring, conservation, and restoration. 💙
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/U5P8isO
@thembauk.bsky.social #DTOBioFlow
DTO-BioFlow is using AI to analyse decades of marine biodiversity records - revealing insights that support ocean monitoring, conservation, and restoration. 💙
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/U5P8isO
@thembauk.bsky.social #DTOBioFlow
Using Deep Learning to Unlock Decades of Marine Biodiversity Data and plan marine recovering | DTO-BIOFLOW
A new study published in Ecology and Evolution shows how deep learning can turn decades of archived observations into knowledge about how protection measures and a warming ocean have reshaped life on…
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
🌊🤖 Using Deep Learning to Unlock Decades of Marine Biodiversity Data! 🐠📊
DTO-BioFlow is using AI to analyse decades of marine biodiversity records - revealing insights that support ocean monitoring, conservation, and restoration. 💙
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/U5P8isO
@thembauk.bsky.social #DTOBioFlow
DTO-BioFlow is using AI to analyse decades of marine biodiversity records - revealing insights that support ocean monitoring, conservation, and restoration. 💙
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/U5P8isO
@thembauk.bsky.social #DTOBioFlow
The Marine Biologist magazine - so good we have two copies in the library 🦦
Put your paws together for our cover story - a celebration of sea otter conservation success.
A new Sea Otter Conservation Centre at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is helping to boost otter populations and restore coastal ecosystems.
A new Sea Otter Conservation Centre at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is helping to boost otter populations and restore coastal ecosystems.
November 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The Marine Biologist magazine - so good we have two copies in the library 🦦
New book alert 🚨
We've just received a kind donation of this new limited run publication from Professor Geoff Moore, Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology at the University of London, and long term Member of @thembauk.bsky.social
We have to say, our curiosity is piqued
We've just received a kind donation of this new limited run publication from Professor Geoff Moore, Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology at the University of London, and long term Member of @thembauk.bsky.social
We have to say, our curiosity is piqued
November 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
New book alert 🚨
We've just received a kind donation of this new limited run publication from Professor Geoff Moore, Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology at the University of London, and long term Member of @thembauk.bsky.social
We have to say, our curiosity is piqued
We've just received a kind donation of this new limited run publication from Professor Geoff Moore, Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology at the University of London, and long term Member of @thembauk.bsky.social
We have to say, our curiosity is piqued
Not us, warm in the library while @thembauk.bsky.social's Head of Engagement, Maya, was out walking along Plymouth Hoe for Pudsey's challenge. Great job everyone 🙂 #ChildrenInNeed #Pudsey
Maya Plass joined (at the ankle) presenter Caroline Densey this morning on BBC Devon (alongside a special Pudsey appearance) to support Pudsey's challenge to BBC radio stations to attempt to walk a total of one thousand miles - three-legged.
November 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Not us, warm in the library while @thembauk.bsky.social's Head of Engagement, Maya, was out walking along Plymouth Hoe for Pudsey's challenge. Great job everyone 🙂 #ChildrenInNeed #Pudsey
#OTD in 1787 Sir John Richardson was born. A surgeon, explorer and naturalist, Richardson was involved in preparing the 3rd edition of William Yarrell's 'A History of British Fishes'. We have a large volume of illustrations and plates from this work in the archive @thembauk.bsky.social 📖 ref PRN1
November 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM
#OTD in 1787 Sir John Richardson was born. A surgeon, explorer and naturalist, Richardson was involved in preparing the 3rd edition of William Yarrell's 'A History of British Fishes'. We have a large volume of illustrations and plates from this work in the archive @thembauk.bsky.social 📖 ref PRN1
For insights into the mysterious basking shark circles see www.mba.ac.uk/mysterious-c...
November 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
For insights into the mysterious basking shark circles see www.mba.ac.uk/mysterious-c...
Today is also #WorldBaskingShark day! To celebrate these graceful oceanic grazers we have this illustration from volume 1 of 'A History of the Fishes of the British Isles' by Jonathan Couch, 1862 📖 BL.65/C
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today is also #WorldBaskingShark day! To celebrate these graceful oceanic grazers we have this illustration from volume 1 of 'A History of the Fishes of the British Isles' by Jonathan Couch, 1862 📖 BL.65/C
Reposted by MBA Library
Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the jellyfish, for today is their special day!
This coloured plate by Philip Henry Gosse is from the book 'A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast' (1853).
📷 Reserve 574.94235 GOS
#WorldJellyfishDay #JellyfishDay #RareBooks #Devon
This coloured plate by Philip Henry Gosse is from the book 'A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast' (1853).
📷 Reserve 574.94235 GOS
#WorldJellyfishDay #JellyfishDay #RareBooks #Devon
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the jellyfish, for today is their special day!
This coloured plate by Philip Henry Gosse is from the book 'A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast' (1853).
📷 Reserve 574.94235 GOS
#WorldJellyfishDay #JellyfishDay #RareBooks #Devon
This coloured plate by Philip Henry Gosse is from the book 'A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast' (1853).
📷 Reserve 574.94235 GOS
#WorldJellyfishDay #JellyfishDay #RareBooks #Devon
Not only is it #WorldJellyfishDay but #OTD in 1897 Sir Frederick Stratten Russell was born. Russell, a former Director of @thembauk.bsky.social spent much of his career studying medusae, so we've included some of his original illustrations that are stored in the archive 📷 PRU64
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Not only is it #WorldJellyfishDay but #OTD in 1897 Sir Frederick Stratten Russell was born. Russell, a former Director of @thembauk.bsky.social spent much of his career studying medusae, so we've included some of his original illustrations that are stored in the archive 📷 PRU64
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have just found out it is also #WorldLemurDay!
Not sure we can make it 'mariney' but that's ok because we like all creatures, not just the ocean dwelling ones☺️
Not sure we can make it 'mariney' but that's ok because we like all creatures, not just the ocean dwelling ones☺️
Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the lemurs, for today is their special day!
To celebrate World Lemur Day, here is an engraving of a lemur - a diademed sifaka - from 'The Illustrated Natural History' (1863) by J. G. Wood.
📷 Reserve 590.2/WOO
#WorldLemurDay #LemurDay #RareBooks
To celebrate World Lemur Day, here is an engraving of a lemur - a diademed sifaka - from 'The Illustrated Natural History' (1863) by J. G. Wood.
📷 Reserve 590.2/WOO
#WorldLemurDay #LemurDay #RareBooks
October 31, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have just found out it is also #WorldLemurDay!
Not sure we can make it 'mariney' but that's ok because we like all creatures, not just the ocean dwelling ones☺️
Not sure we can make it 'mariney' but that's ok because we like all creatures, not just the ocean dwelling ones☺️
Happy #Halloween 🎃Since this fellow was so popular we are once again sharing spooktacular illustrations of Vampyroteuthis. The 'vampire squid from hell' is neither squid nor vampire, using sticky filaments to feed on marine snow
📖 Reports from the German Deep-Sea Expedition 'Valdivia' 1898-1899
📖 Reports from the German Deep-Sea Expedition 'Valdivia' 1898-1899
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Happy #Halloween 🎃Since this fellow was so popular we are once again sharing spooktacular illustrations of Vampyroteuthis. The 'vampire squid from hell' is neither squid nor vampire, using sticky filaments to feed on marine snow
📖 Reports from the German Deep-Sea Expedition 'Valdivia' 1898-1899
📖 Reports from the German Deep-Sea Expedition 'Valdivia' 1898-1899
Found! This #TrickyTaxonThursday an illustration of Scorpaena scrofa from 'A History of the Fishes of Madeira' by Richard Thomas Lowe, 1843-1860 📖BL.70/L
October 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Found! This #TrickyTaxonThursday an illustration of Scorpaena scrofa from 'A History of the Fishes of Madeira' by Richard Thomas Lowe, 1843-1860 📖BL.70/L
Illustrations of non living specimens (from trawls, dredges, museums etc) would have been widely used to learn about deep sea fauna before the advent of in-situ video recording. Not the earliest depiction, this image is from 'Creatures of the Deep Sea’ by Gunther and Deckert, 1956 📖BE.30/G
October 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Illustrations of non living specimens (from trawls, dredges, museums etc) would have been widely used to learn about deep sea fauna before the advent of in-situ video recording. Not the earliest depiction, this image is from 'Creatures of the Deep Sea’ by Gunther and Deckert, 1956 📖BE.30/G