Dr Lindsay Marshall
Dr Lindsay Marshall has made an extraordinary contribution to fish taxonomy and species identification, at a truly global scale, by means of a skill set possessed by very few experts currently or previously. Specifically, between 2011 and 2017, Dr Marshall illustrated all 1200+ described extant species for the Chondrichthyan Tree of Life Project; she is the first person in the last 100 years or so to illustrate all living species of a major vertebrate group. This is an epic feat. Dr Marshall’s works capture the life and essence of the animal whilst also being of outstanding biological correctness. Some 600 of these taxonomically correct images appear across 750 pages in the 2016 synopsis Rays of the World.
Lindsay’s subjects can often be particularly challenging to draw, requiring expression of subtle differences in epidermal texture, relative positions of structures, ratios of multiple characters in proximity to one another, and so forth. Simultaneously, the subjects in Lindsay’s illustrations exhibit a unique state of liveliness. Many of Lindsay’s illustrations are compilations of images taken of preserved museum specimens of varying quality to get an exact proportional representation of shape, then coloured using any available photos that depict coloration. The mammoth and comprehensive body of Lindsay’s work, and the esteem in which it is held by the public and members of the fish and fisheries scientific community, is testament to her true artistic skill. Lindsay’s aptitude and commitment to achieve this type of visual thinking and communication at an outstanding level is special.
Lindsay’s commissioned drawings and paintings of individual species serve as highly regarded unique emblems for research groups and in published journal papers. Internationally, Dr Marshall’s scientific illustrations have proved critical to the management of sharks and rays. For example, in 2019, Lindsay was a co-author and the illustrator of “Shark and ray identification manual for observers and crew of the western and central Pacific tuna fisheries”. This publication was developed to improve the identification of shark and ray species encountered by fishers, as well as to inform on correct methods for their handling and release.
Lindsay has made many contributions to the vibrancy and functioning of the Australian Society of Fish Biology. Over a lengthy period, Lindsay has contributed some of her artworks as awards for our post graduate competitions. At the 2019 conference in Canberra, she co-hosted a Fish Art and Imagery Workshop and provided excellent mentoring on hand drawing, painting and computer-based manipulation of fish and shark illustrations. Her keynote presentation at that conference was a highlight and a welcome broadening of technical appreciation in fish science.
Dr Lindsay Marshall was inducted into ASFBs Hall of Fame in 2021, in recognition for her contribution to fish taxonomy and species identification globally, by means of fish scientific illustration.