Forgotten treasures in our collection
2020-07-28
Curator of Invertebrates Rodrigo Salvador tells about the discovery of a small but important collection of land snails that remained unnoticed in our collections since the 1930s. Read more
Long-lost relatives: Joining the dots in snail superfamilies
2020-07-07
A new DNA study by our researchers Rodrigo Salvador and Lara Shepherd revealed an unexpected land snail family across the Pacific.Read more
The carnivorous giant snails of Khandallah, Wellington
2020-04-10
Endangered giant snails that suck up earthworms like spaghetti are living in a small colony in Khandallah. Curator Invertebrates Rodrigo Salvador tells us more.Read more
How James Bond got his name: Ornithologist to superspy
2019-08-22
How was the name James Bond originally chosen? Curator Invertebrates Rodrigo Salvador tells an unlikely story involving the ‘Father of Caribbean Ornithology’.Read more
Snails share their secrets
2019-07-09
Te Papa holds a surprising treasure trove of tropical land snails in its collection. These snails have important biological data to share, but remained overlooked for the last century – until Rodrigo Salvador became interested…Read more
Moa vs Superman: Poignant extinction lessons via a 1970s comic
2019-06-14
‘This Superman story is actually a great portrayal of an extinct species and its tragic fate at the hands of humankind.’ Science researcher Rodrigo Salvador tells us more.Read more
Summer scholars: Working side-by-side with students
2019-04-01
Every year, Te Papa partners with Victoria University in their Summer Research Scholarships initiative. Here, we introduce them and the projects they worked on.Read more
Valleys Between: A game to raise environmental awareness
2019-02-07
Natural history researcher Rodrigo Salvador is out and about looking for initiatives that join science and pop culture. He did not need to venture too far in Welly to find this one, though.Read more
Prehistoric desert snails
2018-12-13
Did you know snails can live in the desert? Natural history researcher Rodrigo Salvador tells us a little about a curious set of fossils discovered in Algeria.Read more
The Mordor squid: Comparing fossils found in Middle-earth and New Zealand
2018-09-17
Science Researcher Rodrigo Salvador compares the squid fossils of a fictional Middle-earth and those found in the ‘real’ one, New Zealand. Middle-earth: Shadow of War is the latest Lord of the Rings game, released late last year for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. In it, you continue the adventure of GondorianRead more
Goggle-eyed dogū: Pre-historic Japan at Te Papa
2018-06-28
Science Researcher Rodrigo Salvador spends most of his working hours studying snails, but his interest spans much further afield. Here, he discusses one of his favourite ‘weird’ objects in our history collection – a goggle-eyed figurine from pre-historic Japan.Read more
Egyptomania: Egypt in New Zealand
2018-02-28
Last week, a new Assassin’s Creed game mode was released which vividly brings ancient Egypt to our living rooms. Science researcher Rodrigo Salvador explains how this game can educate as well as entertain, and dives into our own Ancient Egyptian collections.Read more