Ian Brennan
@brennian.bsky.social
Professional scientist. Amateur doofus.
Biologist at The Australian National University.
Previously at NHM London.
http://www.iangbrennan.org/
Biologist at The Australian National University.
Previously at NHM London.
http://www.iangbrennan.org/
How can genomics tell us about biome change?
I don’t know. But Mitzy Pepper does, and she’s going to tell us as part of the Open Consortium of Squamate Genomics upcoming talk this Thursday at 9am Canberra time (AEDT).
Interested in joining?
I don’t know. But Mitzy Pepper does, and she’s going to tell us as part of the Open Consortium of Squamate Genomics upcoming talk this Thursday at 9am Canberra time (AEDT).
Interested in joining?
October 13, 2025 at 6:23 AM
How can genomics tell us about biome change?
I don’t know. But Mitzy Pepper does, and she’s going to tell us as part of the Open Consortium of Squamate Genomics upcoming talk this Thursday at 9am Canberra time (AEDT).
Interested in joining?
I don’t know. But Mitzy Pepper does, and she’s going to tell us as part of the Open Consortium of Squamate Genomics upcoming talk this Thursday at 9am Canberra time (AEDT).
Interested in joining?
Good morning Australasian reptile genomics folks (that seems very specific).
The Open Consortium on Squamate Genomics has a presentation by Arthur Georges (Uni Canberra) on Telomere-to-Telomere reptile genomes, this morning at 9am AEST.
Join us for some dragon chat!
bsky.app/profile/bren...
The Open Consortium on Squamate Genomics has a presentation by Arthur Georges (Uni Canberra) on Telomere-to-Telomere reptile genomes, this morning at 9am AEST.
Join us for some dragon chat!
bsky.app/profile/bren...
July 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Good morning Australasian reptile genomics folks (that seems very specific).
The Open Consortium on Squamate Genomics has a presentation by Arthur Georges (Uni Canberra) on Telomere-to-Telomere reptile genomes, this morning at 9am AEST.
Join us for some dragon chat!
bsky.app/profile/bren...
The Open Consortium on Squamate Genomics has a presentation by Arthur Georges (Uni Canberra) on Telomere-to-Telomere reptile genomes, this morning at 9am AEST.
Join us for some dragon chat!
bsky.app/profile/bren...
Saganura
Sylvagemma
Teretistes
Viridihyla
Sylvagemma
Teretistes
Viridihyla
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Saganura
Sylvagemma
Teretistes
Viridihyla
Sylvagemma
Teretistes
Viridihyla
Ranoidea
Rawlinsonia
Rhyaconastes
Sandyrana
Rawlinsonia
Rhyaconastes
Sandyrana
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Ranoidea
Rawlinsonia
Rhyaconastes
Sandyrana
Rawlinsonia
Rhyaconastes
Sandyrana
Nyctimystes (more)
Pengilleyia
Pelodryas
Spicicalyx
Papuahyla
Pengilleyia
Pelodryas
Spicicalyx
Papuahyla
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Nyctimystes (more)
Pengilleyia
Pelodryas
Spicicalyx
Papuahyla
Pengilleyia
Pelodryas
Spicicalyx
Papuahyla
Mahonabatrachus
Megatestis
Melvillihyla
Mosleyia
Nasutibatrachus
Nyctimystes
Megatestis
Melvillihyla
Mosleyia
Nasutibatrachus
Nyctimystes
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Mahonabatrachus
Megatestis
Melvillihyla
Mosleyia
Nasutibatrachus
Nyctimystes
Megatestis
Melvillihyla
Mosleyia
Nasutibatrachus
Nyctimystes
Hyalotos
Ischnohyla
Kallistobatrachus
Lathrana
Leptobatrachus
Litoria !
Ischnohyla
Kallistobatrachus
Lathrana
Leptobatrachus
Litoria !
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Hyalotos
Ischnohyla
Kallistobatrachus
Lathrana
Leptobatrachus
Litoria !
Ischnohyla
Kallistobatrachus
Lathrana
Leptobatrachus
Litoria !
Cyclorana
Drymomantis
Dryopsophus
Eremnoculus
Exedrobatrachus
Exochohyla
Drymomantis
Dryopsophus
Eremnoculus
Exedrobatrachus
Exochohyla
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Cyclorana
Drymomantis
Dryopsophus
Eremnoculus
Exedrobatrachus
Exochohyla
Drymomantis
Dryopsophus
Eremnoculus
Exedrobatrachus
Exochohyla
If you've made it this far, here are images of all the pelodryadid genera. Check out the paper for even more images and other cool stuff. tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
Amnihyla
Colleeneremia
Coggerdonia
Carichyla
Chlorohyla
Amnihyla
Colleeneremia
Coggerdonia
Carichyla
Chlorohyla
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
If you've made it this far, here are images of all the pelodryadid genera. Check out the paper for even more images and other cool stuff. tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
Amnihyla
Colleeneremia
Coggerdonia
Carichyla
Chlorohyla
Amnihyla
Colleeneremia
Coggerdonia
Carichyla
Chlorohyla
This was a huge effort from a lot of people over many years. Most are not on BlueSky (Stephen Richards, Glenn Shea, Michael Mahony, et al.) but thanks to @stevedonnellan.bsky.social @keoghlabanu.bsky.social and @damienesquerre.bsky.social
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
This was a huge effort from a lot of people over many years. Most are not on BlueSky (Stephen Richards, Glenn Shea, Michael Mahony, et al.) but thanks to @stevedonnellan.bsky.social @keoghlabanu.bsky.social and @damienesquerre.bsky.social
But what are my favorite new names?
Here's just a couple:
Megatestis: "mighty/marvelous testicles". Big aquatic treefrogs that can float around on their nards.
Nasutibatrachus: little frogs with a big nose.
Spicicalyx: fun to say. Named for their spiky heels.
Here's just a couple:
Megatestis: "mighty/marvelous testicles". Big aquatic treefrogs that can float around on their nards.
Nasutibatrachus: little frogs with a big nose.
Spicicalyx: fun to say. Named for their spiky heels.
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
But what are my favorite new names?
Here's just a couple:
Megatestis: "mighty/marvelous testicles". Big aquatic treefrogs that can float around on their nards.
Nasutibatrachus: little frogs with a big nose.
Spicicalyx: fun to say. Named for their spiky heels.
Here's just a couple:
Megatestis: "mighty/marvelous testicles". Big aquatic treefrogs that can float around on their nards.
Nasutibatrachus: little frogs with a big nose.
Spicicalyx: fun to say. Named for their spiky heels.
Here's just a taste of some of the amazing diversity in this group of frogs:
1. Mahonabatrachus timida
2. Pelodryas splendida
3. Exochohyla prora
4. Ranoidea raniformis
5. Nyctimystes pulcher
6. Mosleyia nannotis
7. Cyclorana platycephala
8. Litoria nasuta
1. Mahonabatrachus timida
2. Pelodryas splendida
3. Exochohyla prora
4. Ranoidea raniformis
5. Nyctimystes pulcher
6. Mosleyia nannotis
7. Cyclorana platycephala
8. Litoria nasuta
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Here's just a taste of some of the amazing diversity in this group of frogs:
1. Mahonabatrachus timida
2. Pelodryas splendida
3. Exochohyla prora
4. Ranoidea raniformis
5. Nyctimystes pulcher
6. Mosleyia nannotis
7. Cyclorana platycephala
8. Litoria nasuta
1. Mahonabatrachus timida
2. Pelodryas splendida
3. Exochohyla prora
4. Ranoidea raniformis
5. Nyctimystes pulcher
6. Mosleyia nannotis
7. Cyclorana platycephala
8. Litoria nasuta
The thing is, pelodryadids didn't get the memo that they're supposed to be "tree frogs".
Instead, they've evolved to live in deserts (Pelodryas), fast flowing streams (Mosleyia), burrow underground (Cyclorana), float in billabongs (Megatestis), and in claim every outback toilet and shower.
Instead, they've evolved to live in deserts (Pelodryas), fast flowing streams (Mosleyia), burrow underground (Cyclorana), float in billabongs (Megatestis), and in claim every outback toilet and shower.
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The thing is, pelodryadids didn't get the memo that they're supposed to be "tree frogs".
Instead, they've evolved to live in deserts (Pelodryas), fast flowing streams (Mosleyia), burrow underground (Cyclorana), float in billabongs (Megatestis), and in claim every outback toilet and shower.
Instead, they've evolved to live in deserts (Pelodryas), fast flowing streams (Mosleyia), burrow underground (Cyclorana), float in billabongs (Megatestis), and in claim every outback toilet and shower.
To accommodate Cyclorana and Nyctimystes, which are morphologically distinct and well known, we applied and constructed 31 additional genera.
I know what you're saying right now, "that's a lot of genera". But hear us out, there's a lot of diversity to know and love, let me show you...
I know what you're saying right now, "that's a lot of genera". But hear us out, there's a lot of diversity to know and love, let me show you...
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
To accommodate Cyclorana and Nyctimystes, which are morphologically distinct and well known, we applied and constructed 31 additional genera.
I know what you're saying right now, "that's a lot of genera". But hear us out, there's a lot of diversity to know and love, let me show you...
I know what you're saying right now, "that's a lot of genera". But hear us out, there's a lot of diversity to know and love, let me show you...
For a long time, we've known that the biggest genus of Australian frogs, Litoria, isn't a monophyletic group. Two other genera, Nyctimystes tree frogs from New Guinea, and Cyclorana are embedded within the genus.
Time for some taxonomic work!
Pics of:
Cyclorana occidentalis
Nyctimystes eucavatus
Time for some taxonomic work!
Pics of:
Cyclorana occidentalis
Nyctimystes eucavatus
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
For a long time, we've known that the biggest genus of Australian frogs, Litoria, isn't a monophyletic group. Two other genera, Nyctimystes tree frogs from New Guinea, and Cyclorana are embedded within the genus.
Time for some taxonomic work!
Pics of:
Cyclorana occidentalis
Nyctimystes eucavatus
Time for some taxonomic work!
Pics of:
Cyclorana occidentalis
Nyctimystes eucavatus
🚨🐸 Frog Nerds Assemble 🐸🚨
Recently we published a paper on the phylogenetics and taxonomy of Australia and New Guinea's tree frogs, the Pelodryadidae.
Link here: tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
What does this mean for you Litoria-lovers?
There's a whole bunch more names to use!
Let me explain ...
Recently we published a paper on the phylogenetics and taxonomy of Australia and New Guinea's tree frogs, the Pelodryadidae.
Link here: tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
What does this mean for you Litoria-lovers?
There's a whole bunch more names to use!
Let me explain ...
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 AM
🚨🐸 Frog Nerds Assemble 🐸🚨
Recently we published a paper on the phylogenetics and taxonomy of Australia and New Guinea's tree frogs, the Pelodryadidae.
Link here: tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
What does this mean for you Litoria-lovers?
There's a whole bunch more names to use!
Let me explain ...
Recently we published a paper on the phylogenetics and taxonomy of Australia and New Guinea's tree frogs, the Pelodryadidae.
Link here: tinyurl.com/4udpmxsm
What does this mean for you Litoria-lovers?
There's a whole bunch more names to use!
Let me explain ...
Jan. 16th’s 9am AEDT meeting includes a tag-team talk from Kate O’Hara and Stephen Zozaya from the Australian National University talking about hybridization in everybody’s favorite Australian gecko: Heteronotia.
Sure, you might find Heteronotia under actual garbage, but they’ve got secrets!
Sure, you might find Heteronotia under actual garbage, but they’ve got secrets!
January 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Jan. 16th’s 9am AEDT meeting includes a tag-team talk from Kate O’Hara and Stephen Zozaya from the Australian National University talking about hybridization in everybody’s favorite Australian gecko: Heteronotia.
Sure, you might find Heteronotia under actual garbage, but they’ve got secrets!
Sure, you might find Heteronotia under actual garbage, but they’ve got secrets!
Tough times.
Have this gecko with a hilariously big head (Tarentola chazaliae).
Have this gecko with a hilariously big head (Tarentola chazaliae).
December 3, 2024 at 9:54 AM
Tough times.
Have this gecko with a hilariously big head (Tarentola chazaliae).
Have this gecko with a hilariously big head (Tarentola chazaliae).
Woah yeah, great catch on the live birth! Can’t see the head, but I’d bet that’s a Vipera.
November 19, 2024 at 3:04 PM
Woah yeah, great catch on the live birth! Can’t see the head, but I’d bet that’s a Vipera.
Here’s another I saw today at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Cagnacci’s ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ (1659).
Cleopatra famously died from the bite of an asp, possibly an Egyptian cobra (Naja). But here, it looks like a viper, maybe one of the Vipera species?
Cagnacci’s ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ (1659).
Cleopatra famously died from the bite of an asp, possibly an Egyptian cobra (Naja). But here, it looks like a viper, maybe one of the Vipera species?
November 18, 2024 at 4:58 PM
Here’s another I saw today at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Cagnacci’s ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ (1659).
Cleopatra famously died from the bite of an asp, possibly an Egyptian cobra (Naja). But here, it looks like a viper, maybe one of the Vipera species?
Cagnacci’s ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ (1659).
Cleopatra famously died from the bite of an asp, possibly an Egyptian cobra (Naja). But here, it looks like a viper, maybe one of the Vipera species?
I’m on my ‘Goodbye Europe’ tour and seems like a perfect chance to ID some critters in old European art.
First up: Peter Paul Rubens’s ‘Head of Medusa’ (1618).
Clearly European because it has a fire salamander (Salamandra), grass snakes (Natrix), and maybe a smooth snake (Coronella)?
What else?
First up: Peter Paul Rubens’s ‘Head of Medusa’ (1618).
Clearly European because it has a fire salamander (Salamandra), grass snakes (Natrix), and maybe a smooth snake (Coronella)?
What else?
November 18, 2024 at 3:54 PM
I’m on my ‘Goodbye Europe’ tour and seems like a perfect chance to ID some critters in old European art.
First up: Peter Paul Rubens’s ‘Head of Medusa’ (1618).
Clearly European because it has a fire salamander (Salamandra), grass snakes (Natrix), and maybe a smooth snake (Coronella)?
What else?
First up: Peter Paul Rubens’s ‘Head of Medusa’ (1618).
Clearly European because it has a fire salamander (Salamandra), grass snakes (Natrix), and maybe a smooth snake (Coronella)?
What else?