Let's do Some Zoology!

White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica)

Also known as the Pizote, Antoon or Tejon, the white-nosed coati is a species of carnivore related to raccoons found throughout Mexico, the Southern United States, Central America and Colombia. Like raccoons white-nosed coati are omnivores and will feed on small animals, fruit, insects, eggs and sometimes carrion. Unlike raccoons which are nocturnal coati are primarily diurnal and forage during the day and retire to the trees at night. While males are mainly solitary, females/immature males will form social groups that communicate via vocal signals.  During foraging times cubs are left with ‘babysitters’ and will often play-fight with each other.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Carnivora-Caniformia-Procyonidae-Nasura-narica

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Reedfish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus)

Also known as the ropefish or snake fish, the reedfish is an ancient species of fish related to bichir native to western Africa. Reefish usually inhabit slow-moving brackish/fresh water but can also survive in water with low dissolved oxygen content, due to a pair of lungs. These lungs allow them to survive for a small amount of time outside of the water. When they are in the water they feed nocturnally on worms, crustaceans and insects. Their peaceful and inquisitive nature and unique appearance have made the ropefish a popular fish in the aquarium trade.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Actinopterygii-Chondrostei-Polypteriformes-Polypteridae-Erpetoichthys-calabaricus

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Giant Barnacle (Austromegabalanus psittacus)

Also known as the picoroco, the giant barnacle is a large species of barnacle found off the coasts of Chile and southern Peru. True to their name they can grow quite large with some individuals growing more than a foot tall. Like other barnacles the giant barnacles is a sessile filter feeder and feeds on passing food items with its cirri which are modified legs. The picoroco is a major food item in Chilean cuisine and is a ingredient in the dish curanto.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Arthropoda-Crustacea-Maxillopoda-Cirripedia-Sessilia-Balanidae-Austromegabalanus-psittacus

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Geography Cone (Conus geographus)

…is a species of cone snail found throughout the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and parts of Africa and Madagascar. Like other cone snail species the geography cone is a piscivore (fish eater) and dispatches its prey with a venomous barb that is shot like a harpoon. It is one of the most venomous cone snails known to science and is responsible for several human deaths, its venom has no known antivenom and treatment is limited to keeping the victim alive until the toxin wears off. Have fun swimming….

Phylogeny

Animalia-Mollusca-Gastropoda-Neogastropoda-Conoidea-Conidae-Coninae-Conus-geographus

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Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

…is a species of giant salamander found throughout eastern North America. Like its Asian cousins the hellbender is often found in fast moving bodies of water where it preys on small fish and crayfish. Hellbenders are perfectly adapted to their environment, as their flattened shape gives them less resistance to the fast flowing water, and allows them to crawl in-between narrow rocks. They also have light-sensitive cells all over their bodies which are most strong on their tail. These help them hide safely under rocks without their tails giving their position away. And if that wasn’t enough they have an excellent sense of smell which helps them locate prey as their eyesight is poor. Like their fish prey they also have a lateral line which helps them detect vibrations in the water. All of this and their 2 foot length make them expert predators, however this does not protect them from humans as several hellbender subspecies, specifically the Ozark hellbender C.a.bishopi, have been listed as endangered due to human interactions.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Amphibia-Caudata-Cryptobranchidae-Cryptobranchus-alleganiensis

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Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus)

…is a species of alcid (bird related to auks) found throughout the Pacific, specifically in the Yellow sea and the Russian and North American coasts. Like most auks the ancient murrelet is a coastal bird and hunts at sea for fish and crustaceans which are taken by diving. During the breeding season ancient murrelets will congregate in the Yellow sea in large colonies to breed. They will make their nests in burrows which they dig in  coastal forests or rocky crevices.  After the young are old enough they are taken out to sea and like unrelated penguins can locate their family by call.

Phylogeny

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Darwin’s Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes)

Also known as the Zorro Chilote or Darwin’s Zorro, Darwin’s fox is a critically endangered species of fox found only on Chiloe Island and Nahuelbuta National Park in Chile. Named after the famed naturalist Charles Darwin, Darwin’s fox like other foxes is an omnivore and will eat insects, small birds and mammals, and fruits and berries. Darwin’s foxes are primarily forest dwelling and tend to inhabit primary temperate forests and are most active at twilight and sunrise. Currently they are listed as critically endangered and there are only 320 individuals left, 250 on Chiole and around 70 on the mainland, Habitat loss and introduction of feral dogs and disease are major concerns for their survival.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Carnivora-Canidae-Lycalopex-fulvipes

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Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus)

…is a species of pig native to Eastern and Southern Africa, with populations in Madagascar and the Comoros archipelago as-well. Like other pigs and the closely related Red river hog (P. porcus) the bugpish is omnivorous and feeds mostly on roots, grasses, carrion, insects and small animals. They are also fairly social animals and will live in small sounders (groups) of around 10 members, these groups forage together and are noted to be extremely aggressive especially when they are with young.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Artiodactyla-Suidae-Potamochoerus-larvatus

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Magnificent Seastar (Luidia magnifica)

Also known Luidia’s Magnificent Star, the magnificent seastar is a species of paxillosid sea star found throughout the Pacific. Like all members of the genus Luidia the magnificent star has unique tube feet that do not have suckers but instead have two swollen regions tipped with red. They are also covered with paxillae on their upper surface, paxillae are pillar-like spines which help in support and defense. Magnificent seastars are opportunists and possibly scavengers and will eat whatever they can catch and swallow.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Echinodermata-Asterozoa-Asteroidea-Paxillosida-Luidiidae-Luidia-magnifica

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Some male Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) showcasing their ‘impressive’ mating displays.

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Electric Blue Crayfish (Procambarus alleni)

Also known as the blue crayfish, the electric blue crayfish is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Florida and the Florida keys in the United States. Like other freshwater crayfish the blue crayfish is found in running streams and brooks where it feeds on plants, dead animals and small invertebrates. Due to their striking blue color they have become increasingly popular in the aquarium trade.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Arthropoda-Crustacea-Malacostraca-Decapoda-Cambaridae-Procambarus-Leconticambarus-alleni

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Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata)

…is a species of alcid bird native to the coasts of Siberia, Alaska and British Columbia. Like other puffins the horned puffin is a pelagic seabird and feeds primarily on fish which it catches by diving, however they will also eat squid and crustaceans as-well. Like other puffin species the horned puffin has a modified tongue that allows it hold large amounts of fish to bring back to its nest.  

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Aves-Charadriiformes-Alcidae-Fratercula-corniculata

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Barndoor Skate (Dipturus laevis)

…is a species of skate native to the Northwestern Atlantic and parts of the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada. Like other skates the barndoor skate is a bottom-dweller and feeds on other bottom dwelling animals like crustaceans, molluscs, and some fish (depending on the size of the skate). Barndoor skates are notoriously slow-growing and live long lives, with some individuals living up to 18 years long. Barndoor skates are currently listed as endangered as over-fishing and trawling have thinned their population, several conservation efforts have been put in place in effort to save the species.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Chondrichthyes-Rajiformes-Rajidae-Dipturus-laevis

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