astronomy-to-zoology: Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)
is a species of antelope native to India. They get the name blackbuck simply because the males are a chocolate/black color. They are usually found in small herds of around 20 individuals led by a dominant buck. Apparently they are very fast as well with some animals recording reaching speeds of 50 mph. Over-hunting reduced their populations in the past but the blackbuck is making a return and is currently listed as least concern.
Phylogeny: Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Artiodactyla-Bovidae-Antilope-cervicapra
astronomy-to-zoology: Guatemalan Palm Viper (Bothriechis aurifer)
Also known as the Yellow-blotched palm-pitviper, the Guatemalan Palm Viper is a species of pit viper endemic to Mexico and Guatemala. Like most Palm vipers B. aurifer uses venom to kill its prey, the venom has been known to cause necrosis and bruising if untreated it could lead to limb loss or death. This species is usually found around 1,500m above sea level where it hunts diurnally.
Phylogeny: Animalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Squamata-Serpentes-Viperidae-Crotalinae-Bothriechis-aurifer
In honor of Valentine’s day, I bring you puppy love in the form of wild canid pups.
1. Coyote (Canis latrans)
2. Fennec fox (Vulpes zerda)
3. African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
4. Swift fox (Vulpes velox)
5. Golden jackal (Canis aureus)
6. Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis)
7. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
8. Gray wolf (Canis lupus)
9. Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)
Hypuronector is a genus of extinct reptile from the Triassic Period that lived in what is now New Jersey. The etymology of the name translates as “deep-tailed swimmer from the lake.” A member of the Simiosauria, Hypuronector is related to the arboreal Megalancosaurus. It was a small animal, estimated to be only 12 cm long in life. So far dozens of specimens of Hypuronector are known, but despite this, scientists have not found any complete skeletons. This makes attempts to reconstruct Hypuronector’s body or life-style highly speculative and controversial…
(read more: Wikipedia) (illustration by Smokeybjb)
Longisquama
… is an extinct genus of lizard-like reptile. There is only one species, Longisquama insignis, known from a poorly preserved skeleton and several incomplete fossil impressions from the Middle to Late Triassic Madygen Formation in Kyrgyzstan.
Longisquama means “long scales”; the specific name insignis refers to its small size. The Longisquama holotype is notable for a number of long structures that appear to grow from its skin. These structures have been interpreted as either primitive feathers suggesting Longisquama is a close relative of birds, or as feather-like structures that have evolved independently and do not indicate a close relationship with birds.
Longisquama has been used in a heavily publicized debate on of the origin of birds. To some, Longisquama is the gliding, cold-blooded, protobird predicted by Gerhard Heilmann’s hypothetical “Proavis” in 1927, and it proves that birds are not dinosaurs. The current opinion is that Longisquama is an ambiguous diapsid and has no bearing on the origin of birds…
(read more: Wikipedia) (images: T - Nobu Tamura; B - Qilong)
denizensofearth: Ring-tailed Coati, Nasua nasua
Coatis are found in North, Central and South America, primarily in dense forest and jungle habitats though there are species found in grasslands, mountains and even deserts. They are medium-sized mammals related to raccoons. There are five recognized species in two genera: the White-nosed, Ring-tailed (or South American) and Cozumel Coatis of the genus Nasua, and the East and West Mountain Coatis of the genus Nasuella. There is some controversy over whether the Cozumbel Coati is merely a subspecies of the South American Coati, and whether the two genera should be merged. Very little is known about the mountain coatis.
The Ring-tailed Coati is found widely in tropical and sub-tropical South America especially in the lowlands east of the Andes. Chile is the only South American country in which this species is not found. These coatis typically live in forest and are comfortable on the ground or in the trees. They eat fruit, invertebrates, small animals and birds’ eggs. Females live in large group called bands of 15 to 30 individuals, while males are solitary except during the breeding season. They are not territorial so bands and males’ paths may cross. Females come into heat simultaneously when fruit is most readily available (during the rainy season) and leave the band to give birth to their kits. After about five weeks, the mother and her kits rejoin the band. Females typically remain in the band they are born into but males leave after a few years.
Ring-tailed Coatis are variable in color and can be tan to a reddish color; the rings on their tails are not more distinct that other species, but they lack the white nose and eye markings of the White-nosed Coati.(x)
animals-animals-animals: Spotted Nutcracker (by Dennis Lorenz)
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Is a species of sea duck native to northeastern North America. Named for the males impressive blue, white and chestnut markings. Females on the other hand are a less impressive brown color. Like most sea ducks they feed in the ocean where they will either dive or dabble for a meal of crustaceans or molluscs. During breeding season the will move to inland streams where they will nest.
Phylogeny
Animalia-Chordata-Aves-Anseriformes-Anatidae-Merginae-Histrionicus-histrionicus
(via rhamphotheca)
Nembrotha lineolata gobbling on a tunicate by Samantha Craven
