🌍🔬🐙 Celebrating Women in Science this International Women’s Day. This International Women’s Day, we honour Jeanne Villepreux-Power, a pioneering scientist whose research transformed our understanding of the Argonauta. In the 19th century, she was the first to prove that these fascinating marine creatures create their own intricate egg cases—challenging long-held misconceptions. She also revolutionised marine science by inventing the first glass aquarium, enabling closer study of ocean life. The Argonauta is a true wonder of the deep. Unlike their much smaller male counterparts, female Argonauts craft delicate yet highly functional egg cases, which serve as both a protective space for their developing eggs and a buoyancy aid to help them navigate the open ocean. At the South Australian Museum, we’re proud to house an extensive Marine Invertebrate collection, including some of the largest Argonauta egg cases ever recorded—one over 25 cm long! These specimens highlight the remarkable adaptations of marine life and the ongoing importance of research and discovery. To all the incredible Argonauta females—and the women shaping science today—we thank you! 👏 Image credit: The Marginalian #IWD2025 #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #Argonauta #InternationalWomensDay #SouthAustralianMuseum #MarineBiology
