An Animal A Day
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California Spangled Cat
The California Spangled Cat is a breed of cat. They were bred to resemble spotted wildcats, like the endangered species ocelot and leopard. They are a rare breed, and usually expensive, priced between $800 to $2,500. They were originally bred in the 1980s.
California Spangled Cat
Inspired by the poaching death of a leopard, the anthropologist Louis Leakey, motivated Paul Casey to breed a domestic cat resembling a small leopard, and that this would emphasize how important it is to preserve the leopard.
California Spangled Cats are a crossbreed of many strains of cat. Despite their wild appearance, they are completely domestic.
Country of origin: United States
Issue #389 -
Emperor Tamarin
The Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is a tamarin allegedly named for its similarity with the German emperor Wilhelm II. The name was first intended as a joke, but the name has become the official scientific name.
Emperor Tamarin, Saguinus imperator
Emperor Tamarins live in the southwest Amazon Basin, in east Peru, north Bolivia and in the west Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas.
The fur of the Emperor Tamarin is predominantly grey colored, with yellowish speckles on its chest. The hands and feet are black and the tail is brown. Outstanding is its long, white mustache, which extends to both sides beyond the shoulders. The animals reach a length of 24 to 26 cm, plus a 35 cm long tail. They weigh approximately 300 to 400 g.
This primate inhabits tropical rain forests, living deep in the forest and also in open tree-covered areas. They are diurnal animals, spending the majority of its days in the trees with quick, safe movements and broad jumps among the limbs.
Emperor Tamarins live together in groups of two to eight animals. The oldest female leads the group above several mature males. The mutual grooming plays an important role for bonding and socializing. The animals often associate themselves with other tamarins like the Brown-mantled Tamarin. They have various cries which help them to promptly recognize interlopers.
The diet of the Emperor Tamrins is similar to that of other tamarins. They are omnivores, primarily eating fruits, insects and sap. They also eat bird eggs and small vertebrates (such as tree frogs). Due to their small weight they can reach food at the far end of branches, which are not accessible to heavier animals.
Emperor Tamarins live a polyandrous life, i.e. the mature female mates with all of the males of her harem. Gestation is 140 to 145 days, and births are typially twins (although triplets happen on occasion) as is typical of tamarins. All the males, father or not, help with the birth and care and support the young, carrying them and bringing them to the mother to nurse. At approximately three months they are weaned, and towards end of the second year they are fully mature. Their life expectancy is over 15 years.
There are two subspecies of Emperor Tamarins:
* Black-chinned Emperor Tamarin, Saguinus imperator imperator
* Bearded Emperor Tamarin, Saguinus imperator subgrisescens
Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Issue #390 -
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, is a very large owl.
Adults have large ear tufts, a reddish face, a white patch on the throat and yellow eyes. The ear tufts are not actually ears, but just tufts of feathers. The underparts are light with brown barring; the upper parts are mottled brown. The legs and feet are covered in feathers up to the talons. There are individual and regional variations in colour; birds farther north are paler.
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
Their breeding habitat is almost anywhere across North America and parts of South America. They are often found in urban and suburban settings and are a common backyard bird. They often take over a nest used by some other large bird, sometimes adding feathers to line the nest but usually not much more. In the Sonoran desert, they often take over abandoned Red-tailed Hawk nests in the arms of Saguaro cacti.
Great Horned Owls are one of the earliest breeding owls of North America. They breed in late January or early February and are often heard calling to each other in the fall. They choose a mate by December and are often heard dueting before this time. They are permanent residents, but may wander after the nesting season.
These birds hunt at night by waiting on a high perch and swooping down on prey. They mainly eat mammals such as rats, mice, rabbits and skunks, as well as small birds, including smaller owls. In northern regions, they may let uneaten food freeze and then thaw it out later using their own body heat.
They have excellent hearing and exceptional vision in low light. Unlike humans, owls have a sort of depth perception to their hearing, beyond "louder is closer". This is possible because owl ears are not placed in the same position on either side of their head: the right ear is typically set higher in the skull and at a slightly different angle. By tilting or turning its head until the sound is the same in each ear, an owl can pinpoint both the direction and the distance to the source of a sound.
Their call is a low-pitched but loud "ho-ho-hoo hoo hoo." Sometimes it is only four syllables instead of five. The female's call is higher and rises in pitch at the end of the call. Young owls make hissing or screeching sounds that are often confused with the calls of Barn Owls.
The Great Horned Owl is the provincial bird of Alberta.
Issue #391 -
Green Sea Turtle
The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a large sea turtle, the only member of the genus Chelonia (Brongniart, 1800). This turtle grows to 1-1.5 m in length, and can weigh 200 kg, making it the largest of the hard-shelled turtles. Its distribution extends throughout tropical, subtropical and some warmer temperate waters. Females lay their eggs on traditional nesting beaches, and the turtles often bask in the sand to warm their ectothermic bodies, but otherwise this species is entirely marine.
Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle was so named because of the green color of its body fat. The adult turtle's algae diet is responsible for the color in its tissues.
Several populations of this species exist, and all are in a vulnerable state. The Hawaii and Southern California green sea turtles are designated threatened, and the Florida and Mexico populations are endangered. They have long been used as a meat source by many different peoples, reducing their numbers. This species is used in turtle soup. They are also caught for their shells, leathery skin, and fat.
Other threats to the species' survival include habitat destruction on their beaches, being caught as by-catch by fishermen, egg poaching, trash pollution in the oceans, collisions with watercraft, and artificial lighting on nesting beaches, which confuses the hatchlings and lures them toward roads instead of toward the sea where they should go. A disease called fibropapillomatosis is also a problem in some green sea turtle populations.
Conservation status: Endangered
Issue #392 -
Light brown apple moth
The Light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) (Walker) is a leafroller moth belonging to the Lepidopteran family Tortricidae.
Light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana
Identification
Adult moths
Light brown apple moth adults are variable in colour and may be confused with other leafroller moths. Typical males have a forewing length of 6-10 mm with a light brown area at the base distinguishable from a much darker, red-brown area at the tip. The latter may be absent, the moth appearing uniformly light brown, as in the females, with only slightly darker oblique markings distinguishing the area at the tip of the wing. Females have a forewing length of 7-13 mm.
Pupae
Pupae are at first green, but become medium brown after rapidly hardening. Female pupae are generally larger than male pupae.
Larvae
Larvae are not easily distinguished from the larvae of other tortricid leafrollers. The first larval instar has a dark brown head; all other instars have a light fawn head and prothoracic plate. Overwintering larvae are darker. First instar larvae are approximately 1.6 mm long, and final instar larvae range from 10 to 18 mm in length. The body of a mature larva is medium green with a darker green central stripe and two side stripes.
Distribution
The light brown apple moth is a native insect of Australia. It has been introduced and now occurs in New Caledonia, the British Isles, Hawaii, Western Australia and New Zealand.
Life cycle
Light brown apple moth passes through three generations annually with a partial fourth generation in some years, and has no winter resting stage. There is considerable overlap in the generations. In warmer areas four generations are completed annually, with major flight periods occurring during September-October, December-January, February-March, and April-May. In cooler climates the number of complete generations may be reduced to two during prevailing inclement climatic conditions.
Eggs are laid in clusters of 3-150 on leaves or fruit. Adults produced by the overwintering larval generation emerge during October and November. These give rise to the first summer generation, in which final instar larvae mature between January and mid February. Second generation larvae reach maturity during March and April, and the adults from this generation provide third generation eggs. Normally, the rate of larval development is slowed considerably during the winter; thus the majority of larvae over-winter in the prolonged early juvenile phases of the second third, and fourth instars. During this period they normally feed on herbaceous plants. Re-invasion of apple trees takes place during October-December, when moths of the third generation start laying eggs again on the apple leaves
Diet and Damage
The insect is highly polyphagus and the larvae attack numerous horticultural crops in Australia and New Zealand. It is known to feed on 123 dicotyledonous plant species, including 22 Australian natives, belonging to 55 different families. In New Zealand, over 250 host species have been recorded. It attacks nearly all types of fruit crops, ornamentals, vegetables, glasshouse crops, and occasionally young pine seedlings.
The larvae cause damage to foliage and fruit. Early instars feed on tissue beneath the upper epidermis (surface layer) of leaves, while protected under self-constructed silken webs on the undersurface of leaves. Larger larvae migrate from these positions to construct feeding niches between adjacent leaves, between a leaf and a fruit, in the developing bud, or on a single leaf, where the "topical" leaf roll develops. The late stage larvae feed on all leaf tissue except main veins.
Superficial fruit damage is common in apple varieties which form compact fruit clusters. Leaves are webbed to the fruit and feeding injury takes place under the protection of the leaf; or larvae spin up between fruits of a cluster. Internal damage to apple, pear, and citrus fruits is less common, but a young larva may enter the interior of an apple or pear fruit through the calyx or beneath the stem of a citrus fruit. Excreta are usually ejected on to the outside of the fruit
Issue #393 -
Green Terror
The Green Terror (Aequidens rivulatus) is a colorful freshwater fish in the cichlid family. The fish originate on the pacific side of South America in the coastal waters from the Tumbes River in Peru to the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador. They reach lengths of 20.0 cm (8 in).
Green Terror, Aequidens rivulatus
As the name implies this species can be very aggressive, especially adult specimens. This is not guaranteed, however, and peaceful individuals are often observed. Juvenile Green Terrors are often sold in pet shops for the aquarium hobby, as well as fish similar enough to be mistaken for this species (including the Blue Acara).
The fish is somewhat deep-bodied with a prominent head. Adult males develop a pronounced forehead hump, a common cichlid trait. Juveniles are tan colored with silver-blue flecks and lack the bright iridescent blue, green, and orange coloration and long, flowing fins of adult specimens.
Green Terror Cichlids natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 6.5 - 8.0 pH, a water hardness of 25.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 20 - 24 °C (79 - 86 °F).
Issue #394 -
Jewel Spider
The Jewel spider (Austracantha minax), with common names including Australian jewel spider, Christmas spider and spiny spider, is a distinctive Australian spider.
Jewel spider, Austracantha minax
This species occurs throughout most of Australia. They like to make their webs in shrubby woodlands in large communities of spiders with each individual web connected together into a miniature spider city.
Eggs sacs are red-brown, and can be a variety of shapes. They are usually attached to a twig near the web. Females are larger than males measuring 7 mm as opposed to the males' smaller 4 mm.
The bite of A. minax is only mildly painful, with a temporary local reaction.
Issue #395 -
Hylaeosaurus
Hylaeosaurus (hi-LAY-ee-oh-SORE-us) is the most obscure of the three animals used by Sir Richard Owen to first define the new group Dinosauria, in 1842. The original specimen, recovered by Gideon Mantell in 1832 from the Tilgate Forest in the south of England in 1832, now resides in the Natural History Museum of London, where it is still encased in the limestone block in which it was found. Despite never having been prepared, it is still the best specimen that exists of this primitive, armored ankylosaurian.
Hylaeosaurus
Description and environment
Hylaeosaurus lived about 135 million years ago, in the Valanginian to Berriasian ages of the early Cretaceous. Gideon Mantell originally estimated that the Hylaeosaurus was about 25 feet (7.5 meters) long, or about half the size of the other two original dinosaurs, the Iguanodon and the Megalosaurus. Modern estimates range from 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) in length.
It is a fairly typical armored dinosaur, with three long spines on its shoulder, two at the hips, and three rows of armor running down its back. It may also have had a row of plates down its tail. It has a long head, more like the head of a Nodosaurus than an Ankylosaurus; and a beak, which it probably used to crop low-lying vegetation.
Classification
Hylaeosaurus armatus was first named by Gideon Mantell in 1833, and is currently considered the only species in the genus. It is known from only two partial skeletons, some horny (dermal) spines, armor, and various other minor pieces. The best specimen (the original) is composed of the front end of a skeleton minus most of the head, though only the parts on the face of the stone block are easily studied.
Polacanthoides ponderosus, Hylaeosaurus conybearei, and Hylaeosaurus oweni have all been considered distinct dinosaurs in the past, but are now considered to be alternate names for this species (junior synonyms), along with Hyaelosaurus. It has also been suggested that Polacanthus is same species, but there are a number of differences in their bone structure (osteology).
Hylaeosaurus is traditionally considered to be a primitive nodosaurid, in the Polcanthinae subfamily, like Gastonia and Polcanthus. In the 1990s, the polcanthines were reclassified as primitive ankylosaurids, because they were mistakenly believed to have small tail-clubs; they are probably primitive ankylosaurids, but as a whole the polcanthines are poorly known. The group peaked in the Barremian age in North America and Europe, and then vanished shortly after, replaced by more advanced ankylosaurians.
History
The first Hylaeosaurus fossils were discovered in Sussex. Additional remains have been discovered on the Isle of Wight (also part of Great Britain), and in Ardennes, France, though the remains from France may actually belong to a Polacanthus. Mantell published a lithograph of his find in The Geology of the South-east of England in 1833; and another drawing in the fourth edition of The Wonders of Geology, in 1840.
Gideon Mantell originally claimed the name Hylaeosaurus meant "forest lizard", after the Tilgate Forest in which it was discovered. Later, he claimed that it meant "Wealden lizard" ("wealden" being another word for forest), in reference to the Wealden Group, the name for the early Cretaceous geological formation in which the dinosaur was first found.
In any case, the species epithet armatus, or "armored", was chosen by Mantell because there
"appears every reason to conclude that either its back was armed with a formidable row of spines, constituting a dermal fringe, or that its tail possessed the same appendage".
Conservation status: Fossil
Issue #396 -
American Mastiff
There are at least two lines of dogs competing for the breed name American Mastiff; neither is recognized by any major English-language kennel club, although the Flying W American Mastiff is recognized by the Continental Kennel Club.
American Mastiff
One line is the dry-mouthed American Mastiff, developed by the Flying W Farms kennel. Flying W Farms has bred English Mastiffs for decades, but noticed several negative health characteristics incumbent within the breed, namely hip dysplasia, excessive drooling, a shorter lifespan, and chronic elbow and knee problems, although it is important to keep in mind that not all English Mastiffs suffer from these ailments. During World War II, English Mastiffs nearly vanished from England; with resources limited due to the war effort, it became unpopular to feed a dog quantities of food that could feed an active soldier. Following the war, the English Mastiffs breed began to recover in North America, but perhaps due to the dramatic narrowing of the breed's bloodlines, many of these negative health traits began appearing more frequently. In order to correct these faults, Flying W Farms crossed the English Mastiff with an Anatolian Shepherd and engaged in aggressive medical screening of its sires and dams. Flying W Farms American Mastiffs are 7/8 English Mastiff and 1/8 Anatolian Shepherd.
This resulted in a breed that looks exactly like the English Mastiff but without the excessive drooling that is common in the English Mastiff. This American Mastiff loves children and are devoted to their families. These are loyal and calm dogs. They are generally non-aggressive except when their family is threatened. In those instances they become fierce and courageous guard dogs. American Mastiffs generally weigh between 150 and 250 pounds.
The second line is sometimes called the Panja American Mastiff, developed by the Panja kennel. The Panja Mastiffs have a reputation for being much more aggressive than the Flying W Farms breed, and less suitable for children. They also grow to immense size and are highly intelligent.
Both lines are very new with not much breed history, making them ineligible for registration in most breed registries; registries with relaxed requirements may recognize a new breed with minimal history, such as the Continental Kennel Club's recognition of the Flying W Farms line. Some critics claim that these are simply crossbred dogs or variants on the standard English Mastiff. It is not clear which line, if either, will ultimately become a solid breed known as the American Mastiff.
Alternative names: Panja
Country of origin: United States
Issue #397 -
European Hedgehog
The Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), or simply the European hedgehog, is a hedgehog species found throughout the Palaearctic region, except in the Himalayas and North Africa. It is rarely found above 60°N in latitude.
Western European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus
The hedgehog is about 20 cm in length, and lives in woodland, farmland and suburban areas. It is nocturnal, and if alarmed will roll itself into a ball, protecting itself against potential predators with its spines.
Unlike the smaller, warmer climate species, the European Hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. It feeds on slugs, earthworms, beetles and other insects, and sometimes frogs, small rodents, young birds and birds' eggs.
This species has become a serious pest in the Western Isles of Scotland, where introduced hedgehogs eat the eggs of ground-nesting waders such as Snipe, Dunlin, Redshank and Lapwing.
Issue #398 -
Superb Fairy-wren
The Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) is the best-known of all fairy-wrens, and in south-eastern Australia is frequently known simply as the blue wren. It is common throughout most of the relatively wet and fertile south-eastern corner of the continent, from the south-east of South Australia, through all of Victoria, coastal and sub-coastal New South Wales, and Queensland as far north as the Brisbane area, and also in Tasmania. Superb Fairy-wrens occupy wide range of habitat types, and are found in almost any area that has at least a little dense undergrowth for them to shelter in, including grasslands with scattered shrubs, moderately thick forest, woodland, heaths, and domestic gardens.
Breeding Male Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus
Like all fairy-wrens, the Superb Fairy-wren is an active and restless feeder, particularly on open ground near shelter, but also through the lower foliage. Movement is a series of jaunty hops and bounces, assisted by the huge tail, which is usually held upright, and rarely still. The diet is a wide range of small creatures, mostly insects, supplemented by small quantities of seeds, flowers, and fruit. Both males and females sing a pleasant, complex song. Additionally, males possess a peculiar "Type II Vocalization"; this is not an alarm call (the usual series of sharp chits which is universally given and understood by small birds in response to predators). It is given in response to predatory birds calling, commonly Grey Butcherbirds, and it is song-like and given only once each instance (Langmore & Mulder 1992). The purpose of this behavior remains unknown; it has been proposed that it serves to announce male fitness (as it is not a warning call, but in fact gives away the location of the vocalizing male to the predator) but this is far from certain.
Another interesting habit of males of this and other fairy-wren species during the reproductive season is to pluck petals (in this species, yellow ones which contrast with their plumage) and show them to conspecifics (Karubian & Alvarando 2003). The obvious conclusion would be that this is a form of courtship (when directed at females) and/or antagonistic behavior (when directed at other males). However, research, while suggesting a courtship rather than antagonistic function of this behavior, has failed to show a good correspondence between petal-carrying and mating success in the related Red-backed Fairy-wren. It is notable that fairy-wrens are socially monogamous and sexually promiscuous: pairs will bond for a long time, but mate with other individuals. Young are often raised not by the pair alone, but with other males who also mated with the pair's female assisting. Thus, petal-carrying might be a behavior that strengthens the pair-bond.
Females, immatures, and non-breeding males are a plain fawn colour, lighter underneath, with the tail fawn (females and immatures) or dull greyish blue (males). Breeding males, however, take on rich blue tones around the head, chest and back.
Issue #399 -
Philippine crocodile
The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is a crocodile found only in the Philippines. It is also known as the Mindoro crocodile and the Philippine freshwater crocodile. Its status is critically threatened from exploitation.
Philippine crocodile, Crocodylus mindorensis
Once considered a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile, the Philippine crocodile is only found on the islands of the Philippines. The Philippine crocodile does not grow as large as some of the saltwater crocodiles that are indigenous to the same area. This species of crocodile is one of the most severely threatened species around. There are no more than 500-1,000 members of this species living outside of captivity. Compared to other crocodiles, the Philippine Crocodile has a relatively broader snout. Philippine crocodiles are relatively small, growing no more than 3 meters. Females are slightly smaller than males.
Although Philippine crocodiles, like all other crocodiles, are formidable predators, taking large prey as antelopes, they allow crocodile birds to scavenge among their teeth.
This crocodile was featured in National Geographic's Dangerous Encounters hosted by crocodile specialist Dr. Brady Barr. In one of the episodes, Barr was seeking to be the first person to see all species of crocodile in the world, with the Philippine crocodile as the most difficult. Fortunately, he was able to see a Philippine crocodile only about two weeks old.
Conservation status: Critical
Issue #400 -
Water strider
The Water strider, also known as Water Spider, Skater, Pond Skater, Jesus Bug, Water Skeeter, Water scooter, Water skater, Water Skimmer, and Skimmer, is any of a number of predatory insects in the family Gerridae (Leach 1815) that rely on the surface tension of water to walk on top of it; they live on the surface of ponds, slow streams, marshes, and other quiet waters. They can move very quickly (up to 1 m/s) on the surface of water.
A Water Strider, Aquarius remigis
Aquarius remigis (formerly known as Gerris remigis, where the Gerris genus is from Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794) is one of the species in Gerridae known as a water strider.
Method of propulsion of a water strider
Animals such as water striders that live on the surface of water need to push something backwards to generate a reaction force (that is, Newton's third law of motion).
It was originally thought that water striders transferred momentum to the water by the creation of capillary waves on the surface. However, biophysicist Mark Denny showed that to do this, some object must move faster than about 0.25 m/s—far faster than a water strider can move its legs. This apparent contradiction is known as Denny's paradox.
Water striders beat Denny's paradox by generating not capillary waves but hemispherical vortices in the water. These vortices carry sufficient backwards momentum to propel the animal forwards.
In a series of experiments, mathematician David L. Hu and coworkers showed that during the rowing stroke, water striders drive their middle legs backwards without penetrating the surface, and can attain speeds of up to 1.5 m/s.
Nature of the hydrophobic legs of a water strider
Water striders can stand effortlessly on water due to their non-wetting legs. Writing in Nature, biophysicists Xuefeng Gao and Lei Jiang show that the water resistance of the legs is due to the "special hierarchical structure of the legs, which are covered by large numbers of oriented tiny hairs (microsetae) with fine nanogrooves". They go on to demonstrate that this physical structure is more important than the chemical properties of the wax coating of the legs.
Gao and Jiang calculate the maximal supporting force of a single leg to be is 1.52 millinewtons (152 dynes or 0.011 poundal), which is about 15 times the total body weight of the insect. This shows that the surface of the leg is strikingly water repellent.
For comparison, Gao and Jiang made a hydrophobic 'leg' from a smooth quartz fibre that was similar in shape and size to a strider's leg. Its surface was coated with a thin layer of heptadecafluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (FAS-17), whose contact angle with water is 109°. However, this artificial leg supported a force of only 0.19 mN (19 dyn or 0.0014 pdl): this would be just about enough to support the strider at rest, but not to enable it to dart around rapidly on the surface.
Gao and Jiang went on to calculate that the contact angle with water on a real strider's leg would be greater than 150° (and described this using the neologism 'superhydrophobic') and, using a sessile water-drop showed that the contact angle of the insect's legs with water was 167.6° ± 4.4°.
They went on to infer that the observed superhydrophobicity was due to microstructures on the legs and, using a scanning electron microscope, showed that the legs were covered in many needle shaped setae, with diameters ranging from 3 micrometres down to a few hundred nanometres. Most of the setae were about 50 micrometres long and were at an angle of about 20° from the surface of leg. Each microseta also had nanoscale grooves, contributing to the hierarchical structure of the leg.
Gao and Jiang used Cassie's law to show that air is trapped in spaces in the microsetae and nanogrooves, forming a cushion at the leg–water interface. This cushion prevents the legs from being wetted.
Issue #401 -
Serpent Eel
The Serpent Eel or Sand Snake-eel (Ophisurus serpens) is an eel of the genus Ophisurus, found in the eastern Atlantic, western Mediterranean, western Indian Ocean from the south of Mozambique, western Pacific between Japan and Australia, and the north of the east coast of North Island in New Zealand. It can be found to depths of about 300 metres, on sandy or muddy bottoms near rock outcrops. Its length is between 150 and 250 centimetres.
Serpent Eel, Ophisurus serpens
The Serpent Eel has a very elongate body, even the longest specimen is no more than 5 centimetres in diameter. The snout is slender and conical and the eyes relatively small. The dorsal and anal fins are both narrow and stop short of the tip of the tail, leaving a hard rigid point at the tip. The mouth is large with a single row of sharp teeth in each jaw and a larger row on the roof of the mouth.
Serpent Eels are olive grey above and silver below with narrow black edges on the fins.
They are found in coastal waters, with young eels living in shallower estuaries, buried in the bottom sediments with only their eyes and part of the mouth showing. They can burrow extremely rapidly with the help of their sharp rigid tail tip.
When caught by anglers they are often mistaken for sea snakes, hence the common name Snake Eel.
Issue #402 -
Edible crab
The edible crab (Cancer pagurus) is a species of crab found in the North Sea, North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. It is also referred to as Cromer crab, because it is commonly caught around the Norfolk coastal town of Cromer. In the Channel Islands languages of Dgèrnésiais and Jerriais, it is called a chancre.
Edible crab, Cancer pagurus
Whilst it can be found round most of the coast of the British Isles, the relatively shallow waters and chalky bottom off Cromer and the north Norfolk coast makes a particularly good breeding ground. The crabs there grow to a medium size and are full of well-flavoured meat. In other areas crabs of the same species grow larger, but can be more watery and slightly blander in their flavour.
Cancer pagurus has a pie-crust edge to its shell and its two large front pincers have black tips. It is illegal to catch crabs of too small a size around the coast of Britain, a conservation measure brought in in the 1870s. This well-regulated fishery has therefore been enabled to continue to operate in a balanced way for more than a century. Such crabs were once caught with hoop nets; the 19th century saw a change to crab 'pots', which enabled the fisherman to lay the baited pot one day and return the next to empty it of its live catch. In more recent years a larger 'ped' pot has come into use.
The fishery today operates along the north Norfolk coast from Bacton to Weybourne. with one or two man boats working from the open beaches. One of the pleasures of a holiday visit to the area is to see the boats returning to the beach and unloading their catch - and maybe then to be able to buy a fresh crab for lunch. The visitor is rarely around to see the boats go out at first light. Other larger vessels now catch crabs further offshore, operating out of Wells harbour.
Visitors to the rock pools of north Norfolk and particularly to Cromer pier enjoy looking for the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. This smaller crab is again found all round the British Isles. Turn over a rock, and you are like to see such a crab scuttle for cover or burrow into the sand. Lower your beach bucket or hoop net from the pier and such a crab will crawl in - and when you've had your hour's catching, then they can all safely be returned to the water.
The velvet crab, Portunus puber, is becoming much more common around the north Norfolk coast. A generation ago, seeing such a crab in a crab pot was occasion for the fisherman to comment on this unusual catch. Now, it is commonplace. As with the arrival of other fish, the slight warming of the North Sea, generally ascribed to global warming, is reckoned to be the cause of this development. The velvet crab is an edible crab, but it is more difficult to get to market.
Issue #403 -
Japanese Sea Lion
The Japanese Sea Lion (Zalophus japonicus or Zalophus californianus japonicus) is thought to have gone extinct in the 1950s. Little is known about them. They were found in marine and coastal areas in the Sea of Japan. They bred in flat, open and sandy beaches and sometimes in rocky areas.
Japanese Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus japonicus
There are various causes for the Japanese Sea Lion's extinction. It was captured for the circus trade, its skin was used for oil, its internal organs were valuable in the making of oriental medicine, and its whiskers were used as pipe cleaners. Many were killed by fishermen, and it is said that during World War II Japanese soldiers used them for target practice.
Many taxonomists do not consider the Japanese Sea Lion a separate species but rather a subspecies of the California Sea Lion.
Conservation status: Extinct (1950s)
Issue #404 -
Nebelung
The Nebelung cat is a long-haired cat breed, bred to resemble the Russian Blue with a long coat.
Nebelung
The breed was created in the early 1980s by Cora Cobb, with the two foundation cats being Elsa, a black domestic shorthaired cat, and an unnamed blue domestic shorthair. The first mating of these two cats produced five black or blue shorthaired kittens as well as Siegfried (born 1984) who was blue with medium long hair. The second mating produced five black or blue shorthaired kittens, as well as a black longhair female and Brunhilde (born 1985), a blue longhaired female. Cobb decided to mate Siegfried and Brunhilde, and their first litter was born in 1986. The offspring of Siegfried and Brunhilde were eventually out-crossed to natural Russian Blues in order to replicate the Russian Blue type. Although the Nebelung is sometimes called a longhaired Russian Blue, it is actually a separate breed, as the Russian Blue does not produce longhaired offspring. The Nebelung will produce both longhair and shorthair offspring in the same litter.
The breed was officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1987 under the 'new breeds' category. They are not recognized as a breed in the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), or most other associations, as they mimic the natural, long established Russian Blue except for coat length.
Nebelung is a German word meaning 'creature of the mist'. These cats are judged in TICA on the same standard as a Russian Blue with the exception of their coat, which is mid-length with a dense plumy tail. They have green eyes, and their fur must be 'blue' tipped with silver.
Issue #405 -
Pygmy Right Whale
The Pygmy Right Whale (Caperea marginata) is a baleen whale and as such is a marine mammal of the order Cetacea. The whale, which lives in the Southern Hemisphere, was first described by Gray in 1846, and is the sole member of the genus Caperea and the family Neobalaenidae. Despite its name, the Pygmy Right Whale has more in common with the Gray Whale and rorquals than the Bowhead and Right Whales.
Pygmy Right Whale, Caperea marginata
Physical description
The Pygmy Right Whale is rarely encountered and consequently little studied. However it is known that the Pygmy Right is by far smallest of the baleens. The birth weight and size of the animal are unknown. The estimated length of an adult is between 4 and 6.5 m. The estimated weight of an adult is between 3,000 and 3,500 kg. Gestation and lactation periods and longevity are all unknown. Part of the reason for the paucity of data may be the relative inactivity of the whale, making study difficult. The blow is small and indistinct and the whale is usually a slow undulating swimmer, but capable of bursts of acceleration.
The colouring and shape of the Pygmy Right Whale, a dark grey top side and lighter grey underside, commonly with a pair of chevron-shaped lighter patches behind the eyes, is similar to that of the Dwarf and Antarctic Minke Whales and at sea may easily be confused with these two species if the jaw and flippers are not. The arched jawline is not as pronounced as other Right Whales and may not be sufficient to distinguish a Pygmy Right from a Minke. The long, narrow cream-coloured baleen plates with a distinctive white gumline are the most effective discriminators. Unlike true Right Whales, Pygmy Rights do not have callosities. The dorsal fin is falcate (crescent-shaped) and located about three-quarters of the way along the back of the animal. Unlike the Minke Whale, occasionally the dorsal will not be seen on the whale surfacing, and the tail fin has not been observed clear of the water.
Analysis of the stomach contents of dead Pymgy Rights indicates that it feeds on copepods and euphausiids. It is not known if the animal feeds close to shore or at sea. Similarly the social and mating structures are unknown. The whale is typically seen alone or in a pair, with occasional sightings of groups up to 10 strong and one report of 80 animals grouped closely in oceanic waters.
Population and distribution
The Pygmy Right Whale is perhaps the least studied of all cetaceans on account of its sparse population (as of 1998 fewer than 20 encounters in the open sea have been recorded worldwide - the whale prefers sheltered shallow bays). The species lives in the Southern Hemisphere and is believed to be circumpolar, living in a band from about 30°S to 50°S in areas with surface water temperature between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius. One individual was found washed up as far south as Tierra del Fuego (55°S) in southern Argentina. Individuals have been found on the coast of Namibia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. One group may be a year-round resident off Tasmania. The total population is unknown.
Whaling and whale-watching
On account of its relatively small size and sparse distribution the Pygmy Right Whale was not the target of a whalers. It is likely that a few Pygmy Rights were taken opportunistically by whalers hunting Minke Whales. Also a few Pygmy Rights are known to have been caught in fishing nets. However these factors are not believed to have had a significant on population.
Most data about Pygmy Right Whales comes from individuals washed up on coastlines; they are rarely encountered at sea and so they are not the primary subject of any whale watching cruises.
Conservation status: Unknown
Issue #406 -
Little Hermit
The Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus) is a hummingbird that is a resident breeder from Mexico to Panama, and from eastern Peru through Colombia to Venezuela and Trinidad.
Little Hermit, Phaethornis longuemareus
This hermit species is sometimes split, with all populations except those in Trinidad, the east of Venezuela, the Guianas and northeast corner of Brazil as the Stripe-throated Hermit, Phaethornis striigularis (Gould, 1854).
This small bird inhabits shady undergrowth in moist forest. It resembles the Green Hermit, but is much smaller. It is 8.4 cm long and weighs 3 g. The bill is long and decurved, with a black upper mandible and black-tipped yellow lower mandible.
The Little Hermit is mainly bronze-green above with a pale rufous rump. It has a dark mask through the eye, with buff stripes above and below this. The underparts are rich rufous. The central feathers of the tapered tail are long and white-tipped, and are used in display at the communal leks. Sexes are similar.
Stripe-throated Hermit is duller beneath, and the throat is spotted dusky in P. s. striigularis or pale in P. s. ignobilis.
The Little Hermit lays two eggs in a conical nest suspended under a large leaf, usually over water. Incubation is 16 days, and fledging another 21 days.
The food of this species is nectar, taken from a wide variety of flowers, and some small insects. The call of this hummingbird is a light sqeak, and the Little Hermit display song is a eee-wee-tiddly-weet. Stripe-throated transcribes as chup-sit-sik although there are many local dialects of both these hummingbirdsÂ’ songs.
Issue #407 -
Red-tailed Boa
The Red-tailed Boa, Boa constrictor, is a species of boa, the second largest member of the family Boidae after the anaconda. This snake normally reaches a size of around 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3.0 m), with females being slightly larger on average than the males. The largest recorded specimen was over 18 feet (5.5 m) long, but there is some controversy over this 18 foot specimen, which was collected on the island of Trinidad. The specimen was not preserved for science and the skin was lost and it is now believed that it was a case of misidentification; the specimen in question most likely being an anaconda.
Red-tailed Boa, Boa constrictor
Common specimens have an interesting pattern of brown and black with a reddish tail (see picture). They do well in captivity, become quite docile, and are a common sight in zoos. Boas can easily live to be 20 to 30 years old, with rare accounts of over 40 years, making them a long-term commitment as a pet. Animal husbandry may be the most significant factor in captive lifespan.
Female Boas have "live birth", rather than laying eggs. Fertilization by the male is internal. During copulation, females can cling to the male via a small set of "spurs" that are generally hidden below scales on either side of the vent and are actually remnants of the hind legs. Due to the lengthy mating period, it is often difficult to determine the start date of fertilization. As result, gestation period of Boas is not well understood. After a gestation period of roughly 4-6 months, the female gives birth to 20-40 live young (ovoviviparous reproduction).
The species has been divided into a number of sub-species that occur from Mexico to Argentina, as well as on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and St. Lucia. The sub-species vary somewhat in average size, color, and demeanor. Selective breeding has resulted in a wide range of colorations, including specimens which are completely white (albino), or white with orange-colored markings.
The common name "boa constrictor" can also be used to refer to any of the four species in the genus Boa, as all are constrictors — that is, they do not use venom to kill, but rather coil around the prey animal. Contrary to popular belief, the snake does not slowly crush its prey, death comes quickly usually via asphyxia or heart failure.
The subspecies B. c. imperator (typically from Colombia) are popular in pet stores today, as are B. c. constrictor (Guyana, Peru, Surinam). Both have been called "common" boas in the pet trade, although B. c. imperator is more common in pet stores today. The term "red-tailed" (and which subspecies is the "true" red-tailed boa) is debated somewhat in the breeding community, as it tends to be used by pet-shops as a marketing term when referring to any boa, and has little scientific meaning.
Issue #408 -
Glasswing butterfly
Greta oto is a brush-footed butterfly, and is a member of the clearwing clade; its wings are transparent. Its most common English name is glasswing, and its Spanish name is espejitos, which means "little mirrors." Indeed, the tissue between the veins of its wings looks like glass. It is one of the more abundant clearwing species in its home range, which extends throughout Central America into Mexico. The opaque borders of its wings are dark brown sometimes tinted with red or orange, and its body is dark in color. Its wingspan is between 5.5 and 6 cm.
Glasswing butterfly, Greta oto
Adults inhabit the rainforest understory and feed on the nectar of a variety of tropical flowers. G. oto prefers to lay its eggs on plants of the tropical nightshade genus Cestrum. The silvery-gray caterpillars feed on these toxic plants and store the alkaloids in their tissues, making them distasteful to predators such as birds. They retain their toxicity in adulthood. The same alkaloids that make them poisonous also are converted into pheromones by the males, which use them to attract females.
G. oto adults also exhibit a number of interesting behaviors, such as long migrations and lekking among males.
Issue #409 -
Green swordtail
The Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. It is also called Red swordtail. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the southern platyfish or "platy" (X. maculatus) and can interbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northwestern Honduras.
Green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii
The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14 cm (5.5 in) and the female to 16 cm (6.3 in). The name "swordtail" derives form the elongated lower lobe of the male's caudal fin (tailfin). Sexual dimorphism is moderate, with the female being larger than the male but lacking the "sword". The wild form is olive green in color, with a red or brown lateral stripe and speckles on the dorsal and, sometimes, caudal fins. The male's "sword" is yellow, edged in black below. Captive breeding has produced many color varieties, including black, red, and many patterns thereof, for the aquarium hobby.
The green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily-vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.
X. hellerii has become a nuisance pest as an introduced species in a number of countries. It has caused ecological damage because of its ability to rapidly reproduce in high numbers. Feral populations have established themselves in southern Africa, including Natal and eastern Transvaal in South Africa and Lake Otjikoto in Namibia.
One of the most popular tropical aquarium fish, the green swordtail has been bred into various hybrid forms for the aquarium hobby due to its hardiness and suitability for community tanks.
The green swordtail, as the most common of the swordtail species (and in recognition of the fact that many captive-bred color varieties are not green), is typically known simply as the swordtail in the aquarium hobby. It is often designated X. helleri (with one i), but authorities consider this an orthographic error and the spelling with two is is the valid specific epithet.
Conservation status: Secure
Issue #410 -
Norway lobster
The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (also called Dublin Bay prawn or langoustine), is a slim orange-pink lobster found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The tail is muscular, and is frequently eaten, often under the name "scampi".
Norway lobsters, Nephrops norvegicus, on a market stall
Norway lobsters are solitary predators, feeding mostly on molluscs and other crustaceans.
In December 1995, the commensal Symbion pandora was discovered attached to the mouthparts of a Norway lobster, and was found to be the first member of a new phylum, the Cycliophora.
Issue #411 -
Huayangosaurus
Huayangosaurus, Huayangosaurus taibaii, was a stegosaur from Late Jurassic China. Like many other stegosaurs, it had plates all down its back, and spikes on its tail. It had two large spikes right above its hips, which may have been for detering any attack from above, considering it was a fairly short in height compared to other stegosaurs. It was a primitive stegosaur, from 165 mya, 20 million years before its famous relative, Stegosaurus appeared in North America.
Huayangosaurus, Huayangosaurus taibaii
Conservation status: Fossil
Issue #412 -
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog (also called Berner Sennenhund or Bouvier Bernois) is a versatile cattle-herding or farm dog originating in the canton of Berne in Switzerland.
Female and male Bernese Mountain Dogs
Appearance
A tri-colored dog of medium size, the “Berner” (as they are often called) stands 23 to 27.5 inches (58-70 cm) at the withers; breed standards for this breed normally specify no weight, but the usual range is 70 to 110 pounds (32-50 kg). The breed is instantly recognised by its distinctive tricolor pattern: body, neck, legs, cranium and ears black; cheeks, stockings and eyespots rich tan, toes, chest, muzzle, tail tip and blaze between the eyes white. The pattern is rigid and varies only slightly in the amount of white. A perfectly-marked individual gives the impression of a white “Swiss cross” on the chest, when viewed from the front in sitting position. The eyes are an expressive dark brown.
Grooming
The Bernese coat is slightly rough in outline, but not at all harsh in texture. The undercoat is fairly dense; the coat is quite dirt and weather resistant. A good brushing every week or two is sufficient to keep it in fine shape, except when the undercoat is being shed; then daily combing is in order for the duration of the shed.
Temperament
Berners are outdoor dogs at heart, though well-behaved in the house; they need activity and exercise, but do not have a great deal of endurance. They can move with amazing bursts of speed for their size when motivated.
The Berner temperament is a strong point of the breed. Affectionate, loyal, faithful, stable and intelligent, Bernese Mountain Dogs make wonderful family pets. They are very trainable provided the owner is patient and consistent in training; Berners need time to think things through. The breed is stable in temperament, and is patient and loving.
Health
The breedÂ’s genetic base is somewhat narrow, so hereditary diseases and inbreeding depression are major issues. Several kinds of cancer (malignant histiocytosis, mastocytoma, lymphosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma) commonly affect Berners; hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, plus autoimmune and kidney problems are other major health issues for the breed. Many litters contain stillborn young, a major indicator of inbreeding depression.
Although slow to mature, the Berner is not particularly long-lived. The Swiss say, “three years a young dog, three years a good dog, and three years an old dog.” Today even nine years may be slightly optimistic; certainly a ten-year-old Berner is a very old one. In fact, surveys around the world show that the average lifespan is seven years, primarily as a result of the prevalent occurrence of cancers.
History
The breed originated in Swiss farm villages where it was used as a cowherd, a draught dog to haul carts containing milk cans and farm goods, and a flock guardian. It nearly disappeared in the late 1800s but was rescued around the turn of the century by a determined Swiss cynologist, Herr Franz Schertenleib.
Alternative names: Berner Sennenhund, Bouvier Bernois, Dürrbächler
Country of origin: Switzerland
Common nicknames: Berner
Issue #413
