Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research
Public Gallery
The Biodiversity of Singapore
| Scientists categorise all living
things into five kingdoms, namely Bacteria, Fungi, Protoctista (Algae),
Animalia (Animals) and Plantae (Plants) . In each of these groups resides many
different species of organisms, possibly reaching tens of
thousands in number. These species are divided by phylum, after which are the subdivisions of
class, order, family, genus and species. All
these different divisions help us to categorise each and
every species that we encounter a little more
accurately. The museum presently showcases quite a number of exhibits from each kingdom, sufficiently presenting aspects that are unique from each and every domain. Organisms that can be seen include the Cream-coloured Giant Squirrel, which is perhaps the rarest of Singapore's mammals, and the leaves and roots of Tongkat Ali, a famed aphrodisiac.
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The highly venomous Blue Coral Snake (Maticora bivirgata)
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The representation of the five
kingdoms in Singapore Organisms found in the kingdom Bacteria can be found almost anywhere in the world under almost any conditions. These tiny organisms are very important to life as they carry out many processes, like the production of antibodies and nitrification, though some do cause diseases. For the kingdom Fungi, Penicillium and Saccharomyces are part of which can be found in Singapore, the former being the fungi that the antibiotic penicillin is derived from and the latter being yeast, which is used in baking and brewing. In this sense we can see that even the smallest organisms can be extremely important for us. The division Dinoflagellata, which contains the algae that cause red tide, represents part of the kingdom Algae that can be found in Singapore and in the exhibition. Many people can know from the exhibition why it can be harmful to animals. One plant that can be found here as well as on Kent Ridge, is the pitcher plant, a representative of the kingdom Plantae. This is one of the few carnivorous plants that can be found in Singapore, so be sure to take a look. Representing the kingdom Animalia is the Blue Coral Snake. This snake is well known for its extreme venom which can prove fatal for any mere mortal. Click here for a interesting story about the blue coral snake. |
Exhibits you can see in the exhibition:
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