Reef Builders is thrilled to welcome back ichthyologist extraordinaire Dr. Yi-Kai Tea. Kai is a Chadwick Biodiversity Research Fellow and systematic ichthyologist at the Australian Museum.
His research interests combine the use of cutting-edge next-generation sequencing techniques with traditional methods of morphology to better understand the evolutionary history of coral reef fishes, in particular groups that have intractable taxonomy and/or phylogenetic relationships. In doing so, he has revised the taxonomy of several coral reef fish groups, in addition to having described over twenty species as new to science.
Kai is a legacy Reef Builders contributor, having written close to five hundred articles under his pseudonym lemontyk (https://www.instagram.com/kaithefishguy/). He has carved a niche in the aquarium hobby as a science communicator through his photography, compelling storytelling, and travels all around the world. His research has been featured in many mainstream media outlets including the New York Times, CNN, FORBES, and National Geographic.
Kai is the first of a star-studded line-up of expert contributors to join the new Reef Builders brand in 2023. Welcome back Kai, and we look forward to your words, pictures, and all-around ichthyological knowledge!
