Research Expedition Studies Flying Fish Adaptations in Remote Indian Ocean

Yi-Kai Tea, a Chadwick Biodiversity Research Fellow at the Australian Museum, is participating in a month-long scientific voyage aboard the CSIRO research vessel Investigator in the Indian Ocean. The expedition, involving researchers from multiple Australian institutions including Museums Victoria Research Institute and Western Australian Museum, is studying marine life around Cocos Keeling Islands and Christmas Island marine park. Tea observes flying fish species that have evolved gliding capabilities to escape underwater predators like tuna, though this adaptation exposes them to seabirds. The research will also involve deep-water sampling in abyssal regions.