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Adam Walton previews the diverse range of talks coming up at this year's Unknown Wales conference on 8th October, at the National Museum Wales in Cardiff. The event is free and you can apply online for tickets (see web link on this page).聽
Professor Mike Benton, head of Bristol University's School of Biological Sciences gives us a sneak preview of his presentation which will explore the discovery of the "Welsh dinosaur" Dracoraptor hanigani, and the important place it holds in the overall timeline of the dinosaurs, making it the earliest known of the Jurassic period. Mike also explains how the dinosaurs thrived in the aftermath of several mass extinctions on Earth, where the warm planet and their cold blood made them ideal species for survival.聽
Professor Lynne Boddy from Cardiff University outlines her talk at Unknown Wales, which will focus on the vital role of fungi in the natural world. They are "garbage disposal agents" and they break down vegetation to allow nutrients to spread to other plants and allow them to grow. Fungi also have a mutualistic relationship with the roots of plants and they feed plants water and vital nutrients. The visible part of the fungus, the "fruiting body" is just the "tip of the iceberg", but what grows beneath the surface can often be much larger.
Lorna Baggett from the Wildlife Trust in South & West Wales joins us to explain the idea behind Unknown Wales, and how it has grown to be a popular annual event - last year attracting over 200 people to attend.
Also from the Wildlife Trust is Rob Parry, who explains to Adam the decline of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, and the measures that are being taken to preserve this native species.
We'll also be hearing from Liam Olds, who works as a "colliery spoil entomologist" studying the remarkable diversity of invertebrate fauna living on abandoned coal tips in South Wales. His scientific exploration of these sites has led to some remarkable finds, such a the discovery of a bug that's new to Britain - Adelphocoris quadripuctatus - a type of mirid bug. Thanks to Chris Lawrence for the stunning photograph of the bug.