Piranhas on show at University museum

The Natural History museum at the University of St Andrews will reopen to the public today with an exhibition on the piranha.

‘Piranha! The true story of one of nature’s most feared animals’ is a new addition to the museum following its showing at last year’s Royal Society’s Summer exhibition. It will be the first opportunity for locals to see the exhibition, following its travels to India earlier this year.

The exhibition covers the work of School of Biology researchers Professor Anne Magurran, Dr Iain Matthews and Amy Deacon, who pose the question “Do Piranhas deserve their reputation as vicious predators?”

The group is gaining new insights into one of nature’s most often misunderstood animals, who they say, despite having a fierce reputation, act out of a fear of being eaten themselves.

The Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Mary’s Quadrangle, South Street, St Andrews is open Tuesday and Friday afternoons 2-5pm from Tuesday July 1st until Friday September 12th.

ENDS

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, mobile 07730 415015, or email [email protected]
Ref:  piranhas 01/07/08
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk