South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Encyclopedia
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), is involved in research, education and in applications of its knowledge and research to African fish fauna, for either economic or conservation benefit. The institute was formerly named the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, in honour of Professor James Leonard Brierley Smith
, who named and described the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae
.
Situated in Grahamstown
, South Africa
, SAIAB houses the largest fish collection in Africa, which from 2007 is housed in a specially built facility. The collection of over 880,000 items is accessible through a computerised database, and includes specimens of the unique Coelacanth
.
The SAIAB library houses the largest collection of fish-related publications in the southern hemisphere, supported by a computerised database which is also distributed on compact disc. SAIAB's digital image collection is accessible from its Web site.
James Leonard Brierley Smith
James Leonard Brierley Smith, known as J.L.B. Smith was a South African ichthyologist, organic chemist and university professor. He was the first to identify a taxidermied fish as a coelacanth, at the time thought long extinct.-Early life:Born in Graaff Reinet, Smith was the elder of two sons of...
, who named and described the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae
Latimeria chalumnae
West Indian Ocean coelacanth is a species of coelacanth, known for its vivid blue pigment. It is the better known of the two extant species.-Biological characteristics:...
.
Situated in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, SAIAB houses the largest fish collection in Africa, which from 2007 is housed in a specially built facility. The collection of over 880,000 items is accessible through a computerised database, and includes specimens of the unique Coelacanth
Coelacanth
Coelacanths are members of an order of fish that includes the oldest living lineage of Sarcopterygii known to date....
.
The SAIAB library houses the largest collection of fish-related publications in the southern hemisphere, supported by a computerised database which is also distributed on compact disc. SAIAB's digital image collection is accessible from its Web site.