FLASHLIGHT FISH
Photoblepharon palpebratus
©Phil Page - philpage3d.com
This is a wonderful 3D model of a fascinating bioluenescent fish. Artwork by Phil Page of Las Vegas, CA
The Flashlight Fish : Photoblepharon palpebratus
It is a nocturnal fish of the Indo-Pacific with bioluminescent organs under its eyes that serve to attract prey and help it evade predators.
The bean-shaped photophores under their eyes contain bioluminescent bacteria, which live with the fish in a symbiotic relationship. The photophores glow in the dark, attracting zooplankton and small fish, on which the flashlight fish feed.
(Source: labellum, via mad-as-a-marine-biologist)
BOB WHITE QUAIL (hen)
Colinus virginianus
© Laura Quick
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About a month ago I came home with a dozen chicks, Two were bantam Seabrights, and one of them grew as it turned out, a rooster. So, not wanting a roo in my hen house, I traded the pair to a bantam chicken farmer. In exchange, he gifted me a covey of quail.
A dozen are “Georgia Giant” Bob White Quail. Sure you look at the photo and think brown bird, big whoop. But you’d be wrong. The color and patterning on these birds is really quite elaborate, as well as being functional as camouflage.
Bill: Short, curved, brown-black.
Size: 10 inches long with 15-inch wingspan, round body.
Colors: Brown, buff, rufous, white, black, gray.
Markings: Dimorphic species. Males have a white throat and brow stripe bordered by black. The overall rufous plumage has gray mottling on the wings and a gray tail, and the flanks show white scalloped stripes. Whitish underparts have black scallops. Females are similar but are duller overall and have a buff throat and brow without the black border. Both genders have pale legs and feet.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Bobwhite
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BLUE CRACKER* BUTTERFLY
Hamadryas arinome
©gwburke2001
Cracker butterflies (also called Calico butterflies) are a neotropical group of medium-sized brush-footed butterfly species commonly found throughout South America to Arizona. At least nine species can be found in Costa Rica. They acquired their common name due to the unusual way that males produce a “cracking” sound as part of their territorial displays.
In the field, Hamadryas emit audible clicks when approached by potential predators, to defend territories from other Hamadryas and in at least one species also during courtship. Severe wing damage, common in wild Hamadryas, almost never affects the section with the sound mechanism. More than 50 species of lepidopterans (11 families) emit sound audible to humans. In general, lepidopteran sound is used basically as a warning to predators and for intraspecific communication.
Research has shown that cracker butterflies can also detect the sounds made by other butterflies, which would be a form of social communication. The organ of hearing is believed by some to be Vogel’s organ, located at the base of the forewing subcostal and cubital veins.
However, they may actually have a larger hearing organ for lower sound wave frequencies.
*The Red and Blue Cracker look similar and are both blue patterned, however the underside of the Red Cracker is brick red in color.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamadryas_%28butterfly%29
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INDIAN MOON MOTH
Actias selene
©Bob Jenson Photography
This is abeautiful shot of an Indian Moon Moth or Indian Luna Moth by Bob Jenson. This is a nocturnal species of Saturniid moth from Asia.
This moth is quite widespread, found from India to Japan and then south into Nepal, Ceylon, Borneo, and other islands in eastern Asia. Many subspecies live in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Russia, China, Java, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_selene
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NORTHERN MASKED LAPWING
Vanellus miles miles
©Toby Hudson
Previously known as the Masked Plover and often called the Spur-winged Plover or just Plover in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls
Masked Lapwings are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas. They can also be found on beaches and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.
To blink, the Masked Lapwing uses the nictitating membrane rather than the eyelids.
The nesting pair defends their territory against all intruders by calling loudly, spreading their wings, and then swooping fast and low, and where necessary striking at interlopers with their feet and attacking animals on the ground with a conspicuous yellow spur on the carpal joint of the wing. The bird may also use tactics such as fiercely protecting a non-existent nest, or a distraction display of hopping on a single leg, to attract a potential predator’s attention to itself and away from its real nest or its chicks after they have commenced foraging.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_Lapwing
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Beautiful Central African SUN BEETLE
Pachnoda marginata peregrina
©Greg5030
Pachnoda marginata peregrina, the more common amongst the subspecies, is a pale yellow or orange with brown spots; one spot being on the thorax and two spots on each elytra on each wing. Sometimes the spots on the elytra are almost unnoticeable, as they seem to blend in with the rest of the body.
The larvae of the pachnoda can make a low snore-like noise when making his cocoon.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachnoda_marginata
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entomolog: Pachnoda marginata is a beetle from the subfamily Cetoniinae with a large number of subspecies that lives in west and central Africa. They are sometimes used as food for terrarium animals. The adult beetles are 20-30 mm, the larvae are very small when they hatch, but can grow as long as 60 mm. (Wikipedia)
Possibly GREEN APPLE SNAIL - “Blue” Variety
Pomacea (pomacea) bridgesii
©SnailSpace
Okay, this damn shot - the only one of it’s kind on the internet but it shows up in nearly every seach of snail that is conducted. it has been a bone of contention for me for awhile, it’s always THIS shot, so this has to be an anomaly of sorts. The snail is shown on land, but I believe it’s actually an Amazonian aquatic snail and a young specimen. The shell configuration is correct, and the Apple Snail comes in several color variations — ivory, yellow, blue and a series of browns. Thoughts?
Apple snails can be classed as somewhat amphibious, they have the ability to close a trap door called the operculum to prevent them drying out when buried in the mud or during dry periods in the wild.
Another brilliant adaptation they have is the branchial respiration system that can compare to the gills of our fish. On the right hand side it enables the snail to breath under water, and on the left hand side it works to respirate air. This lung/gill arrangement allows it to leave the water to search for food when food under the surface becomes scarce.
The Golden Apple Snail in Asia it has become a pest. It was introduced from Florida and Latin America to Taiwan in the early 1980’s to start an escargot industry. Consumers did not react as enthusiastically as the snail farmers did and the snail market declined. They are also now a problem in Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong Japan and parts of China. The snails have found their way into the rice fields and are grazing on the rice shoots. It is costing farmers over one billion dollars in crop losses. They are being controlled somewhat by using catfish and ducks to help eradicate the snail population. So we see it is not a perfect world.
Source: http://plymouthfishkeeperssociety.co.uk/xmas_2006_43.html
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Painted Snail or Cuban Land Snail (pretty)
Haitian Land Snail (also green)
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Mystery “Green Snail”
I have been trying to identify this mystery snail for awhile. Its picture has been floating around the net for awhile, of course without any kind of context :S
If you have decent input or are just interested in my ongoing project with terrestrial gastropod ID over the internet, then here’s some rumination.
* btw, though it is a green snail, it is clearly not the well known green snail, the Manus Isld Tree Snail (Papustyla pulcherima) from Papua New Guinea. (see one of those here).
Paxon
EIGHT SPOTTED CRAB SPIDER
Platythomisus octomaculatus
Posted by @click-bang
Females reach a body length of about 20 mm, males grow up to 4 mm. The smooth, convex cephalothorax is quite large, with smooth, slender legs that are not particularly long. The legs are often free of spines, with the occasional exception on the first two pairs. The opisthosoma is stout and oval.
P. octomaculatus has a yellow-orange color with four round, black marks on the cephalothorax and seven large black marks on the opisthosoma, with one spot near the cephalothorax, and the other six following behing in two longitudinal rows. The legs are of a bright yellow, with the outer halves black.
P. octomaculatus is a rather rare species. One of the plants it has been found on is the yellow Hibiscus tiliaceus. In captivity it was observed to feed on bees.
The genus name is combined from Ancient Greek platys “flat” and the name of the crab spider genus Thomisus
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platythomisus
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Crab Spider looking like an ant
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click-bang: My academic advisor took this pic in Borneo last week.
* OMG that’s an incredible spider! I tried to ID it, but I couldn’t.
SEBASTAPOL GOOSE
Anser anser
©AllAboutPoultry
In German, they are called Lockengans or Struppgans, meaning “curl-goose” and “unkempt goose” but they are beautiful animals with fancy tutu-like feathering.
The Sebastopol is a medium-sized goose with long, white curly feathers. The feathers of the neck are smooth and sometimes greyish-brown. Crosses have produced all-gray, buff, and saddle back variants. Feathers on the breast may be curly (frizzle) or smooth. The gander weighs 12-14 lbs while the goose weighs 10-12 lbs. The legs and shanks are orange and the eyes bright blue.
Laying:
On average, females produce 25-35 eggs per year.
Flight:
Though domesticated breeds of geese generally retain some flight ability, Sebastopols cannot fly well due to the curliness of their feathers and have difficulty getting off the ground. They need plenty of water in order to keep themselves clean, and to clean their sinuses (as do all waterfowl).
History:
It has been stated the breed was developed in Central Europe along the Danube and the Black Sea. However, it is known the birds were originally met with in the Crimea and sent from the port of Sevastopol, Ukraine as the name implies, and arrived in England in 1860. By the 19th century they were found in all the countries surrounding the Black Sea. The alternate name Danubian reflected their prevalence around the river Danube.
Purpose:
They were originally bred to use their curly feathers in pillows and quilts.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastopol_Goose
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GREEN CAT SNAKE
Boiga cyanea
©Angi Nelson
Scientific name: Boiga cyanea
Common name: Green catsnake
Distribution: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, West-Malaysia, Myanmar, Eastern India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China
Taxonomy and biology: A snake with a long green body, large eyes and a large head that’s distinct from the slender neck. The ventral scales are yellowish under the head and in the neck, whitish at the rest of the body. The inside of the mouth is black. Adult animals could reach 150 centimeters in length. Sometimes even longer.
Boiga cyanea is nocturnal and almost completely arboreal. It is occasionally found on the ground at night hunting for rodents, birds, eggs, lizards, frogs or other snakes. It inhabits forests up to 2100 metres and is frequently found nearby water.
Females lay 4 to 13 eggs per clutch. Hatchlings are 35 centimetres long. Young snakes are orange, brown or pink and have a bright green head. Yearlings are greyish. Only adult animals are completely green.
Source: http://sites.google.com/site/venomousasians/boigacyanea
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Big-Headed Snail-Eating Snake - pretty
Long Tapering CUBAN LAND SNAIL
Gongylostoma ellioti
©eZ Systems AS
Wow, look at the shell on this snail!
This individual was crawling past some colourful lichen, high on Sierra de Gabino, Guane, Pinar del Río, Cuba
This group comprises a great variety of shell-forms, from short and swollen to long and fusiform; the last whorl being either adnate to the preceding or projected in a long neck. The subgenus is characteristic of western Cuba, as Idiostemma is of eastern ; only a few forms occurring in the east.
Up to this time very few are known from central Cuba, east of Matanzas province. Gongylostoma is chiefly developed upon and near the Sierra de los Organos, including the lower con- inuation of the same mountain system eastward to Matanzas. o what extent they follow the hill country still further to the east remains to be determined; but Pinar del Rio appa- rently has the greatest variety of forms, as well as the largest number of species.
Source:
http://www.archive.org/stream/manualofconcholo15tryorich/manualofconcholo15tryorich_djvu.txt
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TOKAY GECKO (Beautiful Melanistic Morph)
Gekko gecko
©Tombo46
The Tokay Gecko is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, ranging from northeast India and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, Philippines to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. Increasing urbanization is reducing its range. In the late 1980s and early 1990s it was introduced into Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Belize, and several Caribbean islands, where it can be considered an invasive species.
The Tokay Gecko or Toko is quickly becoming a threatened species in The Philippines because of indiscriminate hunting. Collecting, transporting and trading geckos without a license can be punishable by up to twelve years in jail and a fine of up to 1,000,000 pesos under Republic Act 9147 in addition to other applicable international laws. However, the trade runs unchecked due to the sheer number of illegal traders and reports of lucrative deals. Chinese buyers and other foreign nationals are rumored to pay thousands of dollars for large specimens, reportedly because of their alleged medicinal value or as commodities in the illegal wildlife trade. The Philippine government has issued a warning against using geckos to treat AIDS and impotence, saying the folkloric practice in parts of Asia may put patients at risk.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokay_gecko
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Melanistic Tokay Gecko
GREEN HONEYCREEPER
Chlorophanes spiza
©Chris Petrak
The Green Honeycreeper is 13–14 cm (5-5.5 in) long and weighs about 19 grams. It has a long decurved bill. The male is mainly blue-tinged green with a black head and a mostly bright yellow bill. The female Green Honeycreeper is grass-green, paler on the throat, and lacks the male’s iridescence and black head. Immatures are plumaged similar to females. The call is a sharp chip.
This is a forest canopy species. The female Green Honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs for 13 days. It is less heavily dependent on nectar than the other honeycreepers, fruit being its main food (60%), with nectar (20%) and insects (15%) as less important components of its diet.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Honeycreeper
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CORONATE SCYPHOMEDUSAE JELLYFISH
Periphylla periphylla
©savethehighseas.org
The coronate scyphomedusae include some of the most stunning of all the jellies. Within Monterey Bay this group is nearly entirely found only in deep midwater habitats, so you are not likely to see one at the surface.
Among the coronates, Periphylla periphylla is the only species known to be holoplanktonic without any kind of sessile polyp stage. It also lacks the ephyra stage and does not produce planula larvae like other scyphozoans.
Like other coronates, Periphylla has a groove in the exumbrella (the coronal groove) that probably provides some flexibility to the relatively stiff bell. The bell may reach up to 20 cm in height, has 16 lappets around the margin, and is topped off by a conical apical tip.
The 12 tentacles are stiff and often held in an upward position. They form groups of three that alternate with the 4 rhopalia. Through the transparent bell is seen a strikingly beautiful deep reddish-brown stomach area. Presumably the brilliant pigmentation in this and other deep-water jellies masks the light produced by ingested bioluminescent prey.
Periphylla is a vertical migrator, rising to shallower depths at night to feed on copepods and other crustaceans. It is found throughout the worlds oceans, typically below 900 meters in Monterey Bay and as deep as 7000 meters in other areas. Periphylla may reach much larger sizes in Antarctic waters compared to temperate latitude populations. This species may be the most abundant, widely distributed deep-water scyphozoan, and is commonly collected in midwater trawls by scientists.
Source: http://jellieszone.com/periphylla.htm
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JEWELED CATERPILLAR of Saturniidae Moth
Family: Dalceridae
©Murray Cooper
Dalceridae is a small family of moths with 84 known species. They are mostly found in the Neotropical region with a few reaching the far south of the Nearctic region.
These are generally small or medium-sized moths with very hairy bodies. The larvae are rather slug-like and along with the larvae of the sister taxa Limacodidae and Megalopygidae are often known as slug caterpillars, but I like to think of them as “Gummi Bear Caterpillars.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalceridae
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Jeweled Caterpillar - this is actually a better shot (by Paul Bertner)
