Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler, Research Scientist

The Maldives Science Society, in association with Aqua Dreams Imaging group, has held a marine biology presentation at Hiriha School. The presentation was held at 8 pm on 14 March 2010 and was attended by students from Hiriya School as well as members from some local NGO’s.

The presentation was given by the UK research scientist Anne Marie Kitchen Wheeler and was largely a slide show on manta rays interspersed with video clips and explanatory commentaries. The presentation touched upon the anatomy, habitat, place in the ecosystem and behavioral aspects of mantas as well as some of the ways in which mantas are threatened and how they can be protected. One important highlight of the presentation was the explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks millions of years ago. She also said that it is highly likely that the Maldives has the largest manta ray population in the world.

Hiryaa School Students

At the end of the presentation Anne Marie took questions from the audience.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler has individually identified over 1800 mantas and estimate there may be as many as 25000 mantas throughout the Maldives. Her research on migration activity by mantas within the Maldives was presented to the American Elasmobranch Society Devil Ray Symposium in July 2008 which was the largest meeting of manta specialists ever held.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Location: Hiriyaa School, Maafannu
Date: 14 March 2010
Time: 2000 hrs – 2130 hrs

Charles Robert Darwin, aged 45 in 1854

The Maldives Science Society commemorates Darwin Day as part of its mandate to commemorate events and dates hosted by and associated with the international scientific community.

Darwin Day is a recently instituted celebration intended to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Charles Robert Darwin on February 12, 1809. Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who contributed immensely to the science of biology and is widely regarded as one of the towering scientific minds in the history of human civilization.

Darwin was catapulted to world fame upon the publication of his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ which, even to this day, has remained one of the most well-known books on science. The book laid down his groundbreaking theory of evolution which, in its modified form, remains the unifying principle of all life sciences.

Darwin Day celebration is founded on the premise that Darwin’s genius and his contributions to science are an epitome of human’s scientific achievements and hence Darwin is an apt symbol for a global celebration of science.