Success, the peacock has finally been captured and all it took was some seed, bird lime and excessive moaning to finally bring the bird under control. Speaking of controlling things, we looked at invasive species last week, focusing on the flatworm Bipallium kewensei. This week’s animal was requested by @ccraft who wanted to learn more about the birds that fly at night…

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Issue #70 - Pel’s Fishing Owl

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class – Aves

Order – Strigiforms

Family – Strigidae

Genus – Scotopelia

Species – peli

Related Species – Pel’s Fishing Owl is one of three species in the genus Scotopelia, the others being the Rufous Fishing Owl (Scitopelia ussheri) and the Vermiculated Fishing Owl (Scotopelia bouvieri) (1)

Range

Wings over Dark Water

Pel’s Fishing Owl is one of the largest species of owls, with a wingspan of one and a half meters and an average weight of 2kg. The species lacks the facial disc found in most owl species, which is used to amplify sounds in the wider environment. While most owls have soft feathers, the quills of the Pel’s Fishing Owl are stiff, increasing flight speed at the expense of the sound that the wings make. When communicating, the males utter a deep horn like booming, while the females call is a more standard hoot (2).

As there name suggests, Pel’s Fishing Owls feed primarily on fish, using modified scales on the talons to grip struggling fish. Hunting usually takes place from a perch overlooking the river, and while predominantly fish eaters, the species will hunt frogs, crabs and young nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloctus) among other small aquatic animals. While the species has no predators as an adult, the species competes for resources and nesting spaces with the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), and will even attack them during the breeding season.

Fishing Owls nest and breed during the dry season, when water levels are lowest and aquatic prey is at its easiest to capture. Two eggs are often laid, but like most owls and raptors, only the oldest and strongest chick usually reaches adulthood (3). The young generally fledge within two months of hatching and will remain in their parents territory for up to nine months before being chased away to claim their own fishing spots.

Five Fun Pel’s Fishing Owl Facts

The Pel’s Fishing Owl is the largest owl outside the genus Bubo, and the fourth largest in the world

The call of a male Pel’s Fishing Owl can be heard up to 3km away

Pel’s Fishing Owls are monogamous, forming long lasting breeding pairs

Despite being fish-eaters, the species can occasionally be found hunting in areas far away from permanent water courses

While still relatively common, Pel’s Fishing Owl population is under-threat from habitat destruction, not just from human action but an increase of African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) population due to the damage they cause to trees (4)

References

1. www.arkive.org

2. Del Hoyo, J; Elliot, A; Sargatal, J (1996). Handbook of the Birds of the World 3, Barcelona Lynx Issues

3. König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm (2008). Owls of the World (2nd ed.). London: Christopher Helm

4. Simmons, R.E. and Brown, C.J. (2006) Birds to Watch in Namibia: Red, Rare and Endemic Species. National Biodiversity Programme, Windhoek, Namibia.

Picture Referances

1. http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/99/e9/37/99e9375a23a46b945bf6696ec81dbb5f.jpg

2. http://www.owlpages.com/pictures/range_maps/range-Scotopelia-peli.jpg

3. http://cdn1.arkive.org/media/30/306F747C-F0F3-4567-8771-FEB7E599B65D/Presentation.Large/Pels-fishing-owl-with-tilapia-prey.jpg

4. http://www.thewildernessociety.com/uploads_media/Pels_fishing_owl_media_1247228261.jpg

And with a hoot, the Pel’s Fishing Owl flies off into the night. Next week we have a tounge-tastic request from @cgoodness but until then critic, comment and discuss future species to cover as well as checking out past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

Another week in May, another issue of Impurest’s Guide to Animals and another missed opportunity to capture my nemesis, the feral Peacock, when it was drinking from my pond. Speaking of tricky creatures, we saw the Arboreal Salamander sneaking around the blog, as it eats its fellow salamanders. Anyway onto this weeks issue…

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Issue #69 - Bipalium kewense

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Platyhelminthes

Class – Turbellaria

Order – Tricladida

Family – Geoplanidae

Genus – Bipalium

Species – kewense

Related Species - Bipalium kewense is one of a multitude of carnivorous flatworms found across the globe (1)

Range - Considered invasive across it’s range in the United Stated, India, Europe and much of sub-Saharan Africa, it is at current unknown where Bipalium kewense originates from, although recent evidence suggests it might be somewhere in Southeast Asia

Invasion of the Hammerhead Slug

With an average length of 40cm, Bipalium kewense is a dark yellow colour, with a brown or black line running down the length of its body. The most distinctive feature however, is the anchor shaped head, earning the nickname of ‘the Hammerhead Slug’. The species moves, using a ‘creeping sole’ on its vernal side, in the same way a snail uses its muscular foot (2), although despite its more common name Bipalium kewense is a flatworm and not a mollusc. As well as the ‘creeping sole’ the vernal side also houses the ‘mouth’, which in addition to feeding, is also used in defecation to remove waste-products such as faeces.

All flatworms in the genus Bipalium are carnivorous, and specialize in feeding on earthworms. Prey is generally taken after rainfall, when it is most active, and tracked using chemical trails left in the worms wake. Prey is pinned to the ground by the flatworm, and covered in digestive enzymes that liquefy prey, before it is sucked up by the mouth. When attacked Bipalium kewense secretes a deadly neurotoxin called Tetrodotoxin, which often kills the predator, despite the amount of damage done to the flatworm.

After an attack, if cut or broken in two, members of the genus Bipalium can regenerate into two separate worms. While this method of a-sexual reproduction is often used (3), mostly because Bipalium kewense readily feed on members of their own species, the worm can reproduce sexually and is a hermaphrodite, meaning after each sexual encounter each individual involved can lay a clutch of eggs.

Nature's Most Wanted: #1 - Brown Tree Snake

The Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) (1) is a 2m long snake native to Australia, and is invasive to the island of Guam. While it is venomous, it is not the direct threat to people that lists this snake as an invasive species, rather its insatiable appetite for the native wildlife. Since its arrival in the mid 1950s the snake has hastened the extinction of two thirds of Guam’s native mammal species, half of the native reptile species and almost three quarters of native birds. Where there was once biodiversity rich forest only half a century ago, there is now only woodland literally crawling with snakes (4).

In addition to its destruction of the native wildlife, the Brown Tree Snake interferes with economic growth, often taking poultry from farms and damage to infrastructure, when it climbs telegraph poles and wraps around power-lines causing blackouts across entire electrical grids. It is estimated that, between damage to infrastructure, loss of livelihood and increased bio-security at both airports and docks, that the Brown Tree Snake costs the government close to 500 million US dollars a year.

The threat isn't contained just to Guam however; Brown Tree Snakes are inquisitive species, with little fear of predation and readily investigate dark spaces, even going as far as climbing on ships docked at port. So far strict bio-security has prevented the species from leaving Guam, although it is readily feared that the species will escape to other islands such as the Cocos or Hawaii. So far there has been little attempt to eradicate the population of snakes on Guam, although antibiotic laden mice are being used on US Naval ships, to catch any serpents that evade port security.

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - Ducey, P. K.; West, L. J.; Shaw, G.; De Lisle, J. (2005). "Reproductive ecology and evolution in the invasive terrestrial planarian Bipalium adventitium across North America". Pedobiologia 49 (4): 367

3 - Winsor, L. 1983. A revision of the cosmopolitan land planarian Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Turbellaria: Tricladida: Terricola). Zool. J. of the Linnean Soc. 79: 61-100.

4 - http://ftp.ma.utexas.edu/users/davis/375/LECTURES/L24/snake3.pdf

Picture References

1 - http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2008/07/27/fleurone/805a40.jpg

2 - http://edge.liveleak.com/80281E/u/u/thumbs/2013/Mar/25/9d62ae90612f_sf_3.jpg

3 - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Brown_tree_snake_Boiga_irregularis_2_USGS_Photograph.jpg

Wow toxic worms, and devil may care snakes, this actually turned out to be a fun issue to write. Speaking of fun we have two requests over the next fortnight from @ccraft and @cgoodness. But until then critic, comment and suggest future issues as well as making sure you check past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

Hi guys, and welcome to another merry May time issue of Impurest’s Guide to Animals. At least that would be what I would be saying if I wasn’t locked in a stalemate with the male Indian Peafowl that’s invaded my garden. Well it could be worse I suppose it could be a swarm of Trap-Jaw Ants…

Enjoy this issue, while I look up some recipes for peacock...

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Issue #68 – Arboreal Salamander

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Amphibia

Order – Caudata

Family – Plethedontia

Genus – Anedies

Species - lugubris

Related Species – The Arboreal Salamander is one of the six ‘Climbing Salamanders’ found predominantly in California (1)

Range

Terror in the Tree-Tops

Arboreal Salamanders are medium sized lungless salamanders, with a maximum length of ten centimeters, with dark purple skin, with golden spots running along the back and flanks. As their name suggests, Arboreal Salamanders are tree dwellers, living in cavities in the bark of oak and birch trees, often only venturing out at night to forage. Males can be recognized from females, by their broad, almost triangular heads as well as their protruding front teeth.

These teeth, in both adults and juveniles, are used when hunting, to rip apart a wide range of invertebrate prey. In addition the species bites in defence, as well as uttering a squeaking sound, an unusual feat since the majority of salamanders and newts are mute (2). If these defences fail, the species will even resort to leaping off the branch, although the risk associated with a fall makes this a risky defensive strategy.

Mating in Arboreal Salamanders takes place on land, with the eggs being fertilised internally, with the male hanging onto the female using his enlarged teeth. Sometime later the eggs are laid in a damp tree cavity, and the female will then defend her brood until they hatch three months later. Unlike traditional amphibians, the young hatch as miniature versions of the adults, completely cutting out the aquatic larval or tadpole stage (3).

Five Fun Arboreal Salamander Facts

Arboreal Salamanders can be found at heights of 18m or more in mature oak trees

To aid in locomotion the tail of the Arboreal Salamander is prehensile, allowing it to grasp crevices and branches in areas where it is at risk of falling

Despite being classed as insectivores, the arboreal salamander will occasionally feed on other salamander species, particularly the Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

This aggressive behaviour extends to members of its own species, when kept together arboreal salamanders will attack each other, often biting each other legs and tails off

Even the species own predators have to be wary of tackling this salamander, scaring on the bodies of terrestrial garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) match the teeth shape and size of Arboreal Salamanders (4)

Bibliography

1. www.arkive.org

2. Robert C. Stebbins & Nathan W. Cohen (1997) A Natural History of Amphibians

3. Hairston, N.G., Sr. 1987. Community ecology and salamander guilds. Cambridge University Press.

4. http://www.amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?query_src=aw_lists_genera_&table=amphib&where-genus=Aneides&where-species=lugubris

Picture Credits

1. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5162/5344666834_7681b6d31e_z.jpg

2. http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/maps/alugubrismap.jpg

3. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6803505357_d07a44de35_z.jpg

4. https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5003/5308151243_fd61299492_z.jpg

Jinkies! Who knew something so cute looking could be so evil? Speaking of evil I’m legally contracted by my focus group to warn you that next issue, the worms are back and more disgusting then ever. But until then critic, comment and suggest a species you want to see as well as check out Impurest’s Bestiary of Past Issues.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

It’s a Trap!! Okay so I missed Star Wars Day, but that doesn't mean I can't quote some classic Ackbar. And that quote is so fitting for this week’s animal. Yes I could mention last weeks animal Balaur bondoc, oh I just did, oh well I hope you enjoy this issue. ___________________________________________________________________

Issue #67 - Trapjaw Ant

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Arthropoda

Class – Insecta

Order – Hymanoptera

Family – Formicidae

Genus – Odontomachus

Species – bauri

Related Species - The Trap-jaw Ant is one of 69 species of carnivorous ants in the genus Odontomachus (1)

Range

Trapped!!

The Trap-Jaw Ant, is a large (about 3cm in length) black ant, with a large head supporting a pair of mandibles with a width of about 6mm. These jaws are held in place by a latch called the clyperus. Held like this, the jaws store potential energy that when released, closes the jaws at a speed of 230-kmph, with the jaws taking less than 300 milliseconds to fully close (2). By angling their jaws downwards, the trap-jaw ant can catapult itself backwards, to a distance of up to 40cm, to escape predation.

These jaws are used to deadly effect while hunting, with the worker ants hunting a range of small invertebrates. While most prey was soft bodied, the remains of termites that use chemical defences have been found in trap-jaw ant nests, suggesting that the species is immune to the acid produced by their prey. In defence the Trap-jaw ant stings and sprays formic acid, with the effects of the venom lasting for up to a week in humans (3).

Like most ant species, the trap-jaw ant has a single member of the breeding caste, the Queen, serviced by an army of workers. While only around two hundred individuals are found per nest, there may be several related colonies in the area all of whom will co-operate in defence of the area. Individuals from related colonies can be recognised by a chemical called dichloromethane, which will differ between animals from different colonies.

Five Fun Trap-jaw Ant Facts

While the genus Odontomachus may be the most well known group of ants with large hair-trigger jaws, but at least three other ant genus have this feature.

Trap-jaw Ants are so well defended, that the Jumping Spider Enoplomischus mimics members from the genus Odontomachus

When closing its jaws, the Trap-jaw Ant exerts pressure of 300 times its own weight

As large as the jaws of Odontomachus is the male Warrior Wasp (Megalara garuda) has a jaw span longer than its legs. These jaws are used to defend the females nest in return for breeding rights (4)

As deadly as the Trap-jaw Ant is, another ant species Allomerus decemarticulatus creates a network of pits in tree bark, which are used to trap the legs of prey, allowing the ants to swarm their trapped prey.

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - Patek SN, Baio JE, Fisher BL, Suarez AV (22 August 2006). "Multifunctionality and mechanical origins: Ballistic jaw propulsion in trap-jaw ants". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 103 (34): 12787–12792

3 - Rodriquez-Acosta, A.; Reyes-Lugo, M. (2002). "Severe human urticaria produced by ant (Odontomachus bauri, Emery 1892) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) venom". International Journal of Dermatology: 801–8803

4 - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2029913/Warrior-wasp-discovered-jungle-jaws-longer-legs.html

Picture References

1 - http://m0.i.pbase.com/o6/44/660044/1/144565200.MJcfJpc6._MG_9682Edit.jpg

2 - http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/maps/Insecta/Hymenoptera/Formicidae/Odontomachus/map_of_Odontomachus_bauri.jpg

3 - http://krungkuene.org/imgant/pic/odonttwo.jpg

4 - http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/25/article-2029913-0D90688E00000578-1_634x381.jpg

And there we have it, a trap in more ways then one. And while the trap-jaw ant doesn't try to hide the fact it’s a monstrosity, unlike next weeks animal, a deadly predator that hides behind its adorable exterior. But until then critic, comment and suggest future issues as well as making sure you check past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

Well here it is, the End of April, and out first (and only) dinosaur issue all because of @ostyo, and a promise I made about doing this issue if I could get blood from a stone. Little did I know that Pyura chilensis can do just that, curse that bleeding creature. Anyways enjoy this primeval issue of Impurest’s Guide to Animals.

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Issue #66 - Balaur bondoc

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

[Clade]* – Dinosauria

Order – Therepoda

[Clade]* – Eumaniraptora

Genus – Balaur

Species – bondoc

Due to recent genetic and fossil evidence, the taxonomic placement of all dinosaurs, particularly the Dromeosaurs is under review

Related Species - Balaur is a dromaeosaurid, and is more closely related to Velociraptor mongoliensis then it is to Deinonychus antirrhopus

Range - Fossils of Balaur date back to the late Cretaceous (approximately 70 Million Years Ago) and is found in the Hateg Island Fossil Formation in Romania (1)

Enter the Stocky Dragon

Fossil evidence, shows that Balaur was between 1.8m to 2.1m in length, a similar length to its relative Velociraptor, although the former was far more stocky then the later, with shorter legs, but far more powerful muscle attachments connected to the creatures pelvis. While most Dromaeosaurids had three clawed hands, Balaurs fingers and claws were reduced, with the species only supporting two erupted digits. That said the arms of Balaur were more muscled than similar sized dinosaurs, and it’s been speculated that the species was feathered.

Despite its relatively small size, Balaur is at current the largest theropod found in the Hateg Island formation, and judging from the size of the prey items, and was likely the apex predator of the ecosystem. When on the attack Balaur probably used its stocky legs and the trademark dromaeosaur sickle claw on the second toe, to pin prey. This claw worked in concert with the claw on the first toe (2), also enlarged into a sickle as Balaur beat its arms against the prey, potentially to stun it or to keep the raptor from being bucked off by its struggling prey.

The first fossil evidence of Balaur was identified in 2009, from a partial skeleton containing the foot and the arm. The species was named later that year, after the Romanian word for dragon ‘Balaur’ and the Turkish word ‘Bondoc’ which translates to stocky. Since much of the Hateg Island fossil bed contains unique species, it’s probable the Balaur was only found in this particular island.

Paleoecology: Five Species from Hateg Island

Hateg Island, was a site where the effects of insular dwarfism, is seen through a large swathe of the fauna present in the fossil record (3). As such the unique fauna differed from their ancestors in mainland Europe and Asia, not just in appearance but size as well.

Hatzegopteryx thambema - While most of the dinosaurs had reduced in size, the pterosaurs of Hateg Island increased in size. With a wingspan of 12m, and a head with the length of 3m, Hatzegopteryx was the largest predator on the island, and probably fed on all the species present at Hateg Island.

Magyarosaurus dacus­ - The largest herbivore on Hateg Island, Magyarosaurus reached a length of 6m and a weight of a ton. To protect itself from predation, this species had dermal plates of armour set in its skin as a passive defence to deter predators such as Balaur and Hatzegopteryx

Struthiosaurus transylvanicus - A squat armoured ankylosaur, Struthiosaurus was only 2m in length, although well protected thanks to rows of armoured plates and spines arranged down its body.

Telmatosaurus transylvanicus - The first dwarf dinosaur, discovered in 1895, Telmatosaurus was a five meter, half ton hadrosaur. Evidence found in France and Spain is attributed to full sized members of this genus, although the validity of these finds is yet to be confirmed.

Zalmoxes robustus - Named after an ancient Dacian god, at 3m in length, Zalmoxes is an descendent of a species that exhibited island gigantism. Current fossil finds of Zalmoxes suggest that the species was the same size as relatives found on mainland Europe and North America

Bibliography

1 - http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/08/31/scientists-unveil-new-and-improved-velociraptor-cousin/

2 - Csiki, Z.; Vremir, M.; Brusatte, S. L.; Norell, M. A. (2010-08-17). "An aberrant island-dwelling theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Romania". Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 107 (35): 15357–61. doi:10.1073/pnas.1006970107. PMC 2932599. PMID 20805514. Retrieved2010-09-0

3 - Benton, M.J., Csiki, Z., Grigorescu, D., Redelstorff, R., Sander, P.M., Stein, K., and Weishampel, D.B. (2010). "Dinosaurs and the island rule: The dwarfed dinosaurs from Haţeg Island." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 293(3-4): 438–454

Picture References

1 - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Balaur_bondoc.jpg

2 - http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytIpu2f_MQ4/TnVYtW2TGMI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/aS8HsYucf90/s1600/Hateg.png

3 - http://public.media.smithsonianmag.com/legacy_blog/Balaur-skeleton.jpg

4 - http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130608232243/shipoffools/images/4/48/Hatzegopteryx.jpg

And that is the only dinosaur issue, ever to appear in this blog (categorizing it in Impurest’s Bestiary is sure to be a headache). Speaking of heads, next weeks issue brings the us a set of jaws so large they cause it to experience physical recoil, But until then critic, comment and drop us a species you want covered in future issues.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

As spring marches on, I bring an eagerly awaited animal, not because of what it is, but what it'll lead too. But before we can get to that, we must mention the Rosy Wolf Snail, which was in last weeks issue. And just an additional note, I won’t cover a dinosaur until I get blood from a stone….oh

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Issue #65 - Pyura chilensis

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Ascidiacea

Order – Pleurogona

Family – Pyuridae

Genus – Pyura

Species – chilensis

Related Species - Pyura chilensis is one of over thirty species in the genus Pyura(1)

Range

Blood from a Stone

Pyura chilensis is a tunicate that is found in costal areas of Peru and Chile, often in large colonies. The species, as an adult, is covered in an outer skin that looks like a stone, covered in a few red blotches. Despite looking like its made of stone, the animal is rather fragile, and can be cut open with a knife or crushed under foot, if trodden on. The red protrusions on the surface, are in-fact siphons, and are used for respiration and feeding.

Like the majority of tunicates, Pyura chilensis, is a filter feeder, inhaling sea water through the siphon. The tunicate then creates mucus, which sieves out organic particulates, with the food loaded mucus running down a groove into the intestine. When injured, Pyura chilensis bleeds clear blood (2), which is often loaded with vanadium, with concentrations of up to ten million times more than that found in seawater.

Pyura chilensis is a hermaphrodite as an adult, and pumps out clouds of sperm and eggs, and is able to self fertilize if there are no other individuals nearby. The immature tunicates are tadpole shaped and have a reinforced notochord, which acts as a primitive backbone. After a few months Pyura chilensis, becomes the sedentary adult form, its spinal chord reducing in length to about a centimetre in length.

Five Unusual Chordates

Tunnicates from the Class Larvacea, remains in a neonatal form for its entire life

Some tunicates are eaten, in Korea around 39 tons of the Sea Pineapple (Halocynthia roretzi) are cultivated every year.

Sobera dignoas, unlike many of the other lower chordates, is a predator, feeding on small crustaceans and nematode worms.

While most lower chordates are small, some members create long chains of multiple individuals, that come together to breed.

A two meter long colony of Pyrosoma atlanticum was once found with a penguin trapped inside, after the bird swam inside the colony and drowned (4)

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - Crew, Becky (21 June 2012). "Pyura chilensis: the closest thing to getting blood from a stone”, Scientific American.

3 - Ruppert, Edward E.; Fox, Richard, S.; Barnes, Robert D. (2004). Invertebrate Zoology, 7th edition. Cengage Learning. pp. 940–956

4 - http://deepseanews.com/2013/08/the-60-foot-long-jet-powered-animal-youve-probably-never-heard-of/

Picture References

1 - http://www.iefimerida.gr/sites/default/files/2_34.jpg

2 - http://www.scielo.cl/fbpe/img/rchnat/v79n4/fig02-01.jpg

3 - http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/files/2012/06/Pyura_chilensis.jpeg

4 - http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5EQGA_4BZ5s/hqdefault.jpg

Well that’s how to get blood from a stone, which means next week we have a (one off) dinosaur issue (curse you @ostyo ). But until then critic, comment and check out past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

What’s up guys, after a successful conference up in Exeter, yours truly rides east on the 11:40 to Paddington, ready for the upcoming week of surveys and report writing. Last week we met Pioma cthulhu and saw the horrors that lurk in the caverns of our world. This issue features another terror, sliding towards us at a break neck pace. Hope you guys enjoy…

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Issue #64 – Rosy Wolf Snail

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Mollusca

Class – Gastropoda

[Clade] – Hetrobranchia

Family – Spiraxidae

Genus – Euglandia

Species - rosea

*The class Gastropoda is still undergoing a taxanomic shakeup, as such the Rosy Wolf Snail could be in any of the following Order; Hetrobanchia, Euthyneura, Eupulmota and Stylommatopha

Related Species – The Rosy Wolf Snail is one of over 30 species in the genus Euglandia

Range – The Rosy Wolf Snail is native to the Southern States of the America, with a range stretching from Texas in the West to South Carolina in the East. In addition the species has been introduced to a number of pacific islands as well as China and India too.

Snail Terminator

The Rosy Wolf Snail, has an average shell length of 60mm, and a body length of 100m, often found in damp, dark habitats such as forests and swamps. The shell is long and low, and consists of four or more whorls, each smaller than the last as you head to the back of the shell. Like all gastropods, the Rosy Wolf Snail moves a single large foot, leaving behind a chemical trail behind it. To navigate it uses ‘two fleshy lips’ that taste chemical cues left in the environment around it.

It’s these cues that aid the Rosy Wolf Snail, when it comes to hunting. Unlike a lot of other terrestrial snails, this species is carnivorous, and specialises in hunting other snails and slugs. Smaller preys species are swallowed whole, shell and all (2), while larger species have their shells infiltrated as the Rosy Wolf Snail drills through their shells with its radula. In addition to these deadly weapons, the Rosy Wolf Snail can outpace its prey, often tracking them down their own slime trails for hundreds of meters, before finally reaching them.

Like the vast majority of land snails, the Rosy Wolf Snail is a hermaphrodite, but is unable to self-fertilize, thus requiring contact with others of its species. During a sexual encounter, one animals acts as a male, and the other a female, before switching roles to ensure both species have been fertilized.

Five Fun Rosy Wolf Snail Facts

The snail eating habits of the Rosy Wolf Snail have earned it the nickname ‘Cannibal Snail’

In addition it’s been recorded that the Rosy Wolf Snail moves 300% faster than the prey species it feeds on

[

All these traits mean, that outside its range the Rosy Wolf Snail is a deadly invasive predator. It has been theorized that since 1500, one third of island snail extinctions can be accredited to this species (3)

The Rosy Wolf Snail is so veracious, that some native species have been recorded as being extinct only a year after the predator arrives on their island homes.

While eating snails with their shells seems like a painful affair, the calcium carbonate that forms their homes is used by the Rosy Wolf snail to strengthen its own shell (4).

Bibliography

1. www.arkive.org

2. http://www.molluskman.com/Euglandina_rosea.html

3. http://www.stoppinginvasives.org/home/database/euglandina-rosea

4. http://www.molluscs.at/gastropoda/terrestrial.html?/gastropoda/terrestrial/euglandina.html

Picture Credits

1. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Euglandina_rosea.jpg

2. http://www.molluscs.at/images/weichtiere/schnecken/euglandina_feeding.jpg

3. http://www.molluscs.at/images/weichtiere/schnecken/eugl_ros.jpg

Well that should creep out @ostyo, and speaking of him, I am begrudgingly having to keep a promise I made, as next week I get blood from a stone.. But until then critic, comment and suggest a species you want to see as well as check out Impurest’s Bestiary of Past Issues.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

Today is a sad day, with a heavy heart I have decided to retire my laptop ‘Tosh’ after nine years of service. As such one last task remains for the valiant machine, to write and then post this issue of Impurest’s Guide to Animals. This issue features a creature of Lovecraftian terror, one who opposes the Narwhal (last week’s issue) in a popular meme. Hope you guys enjoy…

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Issue #63 – Pioma cthulhu

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Arthropoda

Class – Arachnida

Order – Aranae

Family – Pimoidae

Genus – Pioma

Species - cthulhu

Related Species – Pioma cthulhu is one of twenty one cave spiders found in the genus Pioma (1)

Range – Pioma cthulhu is found in redwood forests in the Sonoma and Mendocino counties of Western California

All Hail Cthulhu

Pioma Cthulhu is a small spider, which has a cephalothorax length of only three to six millimetres, and a leg span of up to a few centimetres. The body of the male is a dull brown, and the larger female is more of a rusty red colour. Being a former cave dweller, the species is nocturnal, but can be found during the day in man-made structures such as cabins, as well as in hollowed out redwood trees. The main feature of this species are the long legs, in the males case they are covered with long hairs, that gave rise to the word Pioma, a Gosiute Native American word for ‘big legs (2)’.

Like the vast majority of spiders, P. cthulhu is a carnivore, feeding off insects that live in the redwood holes it calls home. This species, like others of its genus weaves sheet like webs, to aid in the capture of prey. While few large predators would be able to breach P.cthulu’s tree fortresses, arthropods and amphibians are a different story, and the species is probably predated on by larger spiders and arboreal salamanders.

Reproduction in P. cthulhu is at current, undocumented, but it can be assumed to be similar to other members of the genus Pioma. It is noted that the females of the group, carry their egg sacs around longer than other spiders of a similar size, possibly as a behaviour retained from when the species was found only in caves, where resources were scarce.

Ecology 101: A Guide to Environmental Mechanics #6 – Cave Biota

The word ‘troglodyte’ is often one that is misused to label species found in caves, despite the meaning only referring to humans (Homo sapiens sapiens). A more correct term, for cave dwelling animals is troglofauna, and even then the term is misleading, as not all troglofauna is found in caves. For further clarity troglofauna can be split into three designations (3);

Trogloxene – A species that visits caves, but is not complete any of its life-cycle in them

Troglophile – A species that completes most of its life-cycle in a cave, but can be found outside subterranean habitats

Troglobite – A species that lives its entire life-cycle in caves

As such, species commonly associated with caves such as bats, bears, swallows etc., are actually trogloxenes, they visit caves, may even spend prolonged periods of time in them, but they can survive quite comfortably in other environments as well. In addition, the ‘troglodytes’ mentioned earlier are also trogloxenes since they have no real adaptions to living full time in caves. In fact all birds and mammals that are associated with caves are classified as such, the energy deficit found in caves simply can’t support these groups for long.

Troglophiles, on the other hand are species evolving towards becoming full-time troglobites (or occasionally evolving for life on the surface such as Pioma cthuluhu). These species will begin to display features such as reduced eyes, elongated legs and paler skin, as competition for resources is reduced, as is the potential for predation. Over time those species that survive, will become fully fledged troglobites, unable to survive outside their subterranean homes.

Because of this extreme specialisation, troglofauna is rarely found outside a few local caves, making these species unique and variable to changes in their environments. That said the pressures of cave living, can lead to convergent evolutions, with troglofauna resembling unrelated species found entire continents away (4). An example of this is the Olm (Proteus anguis) and the Texan Blind Salamander (Eurycea rathbuni), both of whom have evolved reduced eyes and legs and external gills to aid them in cave living. Due to reduced range and genetic diversity, troglofauna is vulnerable to change, and are used as indicators to tell how healthy the surrounding environment is.

Bibliography

1. www.arkive.org

2. Hormiga, G.; Buckle, D. J.; Scharff, N. (2005). "Nanoa, an enigmatic new genus of pimoid spiders from western North America (Pimoidae, Araneae". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145 (2): 249–262

3. Ormiga, G.; Buckle, D. J.; Scharff, N. (2005). "Nanoa, an enigmatic new genus of pimoid spiders from western North America (Pimoidae, Araneae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145 (2): 249–262

4. Thomas C. Barr, Jr. & John R. Holsinger (1985). "Speciation in cave faunas". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 16: 313–337

Picture Credits

1. - https://dinnshenchas.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/pimoa-cthulhu.jpg.jpg

2. - http://bugguide.net/images/cache/WKLK6KRKCKGQZS1QT02QHSBQ30AQC0AQTK5KJ0NQBKGKDKIKHSNQCK4KDKVQY0VQY0MKBKHKAKVQAKUQRSWQOKNQTK.jpg

3. - http://www.mountainsbeyond.org/Nature/Reptiles/images/Snakes/CaveRacer.jpg

4. -https://cyntaur23.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/ceuthbg.gif

And as we say farewell to ‘Tosh’ and the creepy ‘Cthulhu Spider’ we can rest assured that a new issue will be arriving next week. But until then critic, comment and suggest a species you want to see as well as check out Impurest’s Bestiary of Past Issues.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

So as we power into April (with a shattered foot), we say goodbye to the ice and snow of winter (or hello if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. And while last week’s animal, the serpentine Hamadryad AKA King Cobra, doesn’t deal with the cold, a request from @ms-lola has bought one last bastion of winter down from the high Arctic. Hope you Guys Enjoy

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Issue #62 - Narwhal

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Mamalia

Order – Artiodactyla

Family – Monodontidae

Genus – Monodon

Species – monocerus

Related Species - The Narwhal is one of two species found in the family Monodontidae, the other being the Beluga (Delpinaperatus leucas). (1)

Range

One Horn, One Tooth

Narwhals are medium sized mottled coloured toothed whales, with a body length of around four to five meters, and an average weight of around a ton. With the addition of the tusk (in actual fact a highly modified canine tooth), usually found only in the males, the length increases to anything form six to eight meters. The tusk is lined with neural receptors, and doubles as both a sensory organ, and a weapon for inter-species confrontation. In addition to the tusk, Narwhal genders also have varying tail designs, with the male’s flukes being more concave, possibly to aid in reducing the drag caused by his tusk (2).

Narwhals, of both genders have reduced teeth within their mouths, and are unable to grasp prey items, such as squid and fish, instead relying on a sucking motion to draw prey into their mouths. This method of feeding is rather indiscriminate and unusual items; such as wolfish, skate eggs and even rocks have been found in Narwhal stomachs (3). As fully grown adults, few species prey on Narwhals, due to a mixture of bulk and the environment they live in. Weaker animals are taken by Polar Bears (Urus maritnimus), Orca (Orcinus orca) and Greenland Shark (Somniosus microchephalus), but only humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) hunt healthy adults, although today only subsistence hunts by the native Inuit are permitted.

It is during the breeding season, usually between April and May, that the tusk of the Narwhal, is used in ‘jousts’ to determine dominance over the herd. Only the strongest males of the season mate, with the fertilised females carrying the growing calf for over a year. The young calf will stay dependent on its mother’s milk for twenty months, in order to build up the layer of blubber required to survive the Arctic winter. After nine years females are considered sexually mature, with male Narwhal’s finally displaying the tusks of a mature adult at the age of fifteen.

Five Fun Narwhal Facts

The tusk of the Narwhal has long been linked to the mythical Unicorn. A bejewelled tusk given to Queen Elizabeth the 1^st is said to have been valued at £100,000 at the time (with a value of approximately two million pounds in modern times)

On rare occasions female Narwhals will also grow tusks, although they are not as long as those sported by the males.

Even rarer, is the eruption of the second canine tooth, causing the Narwhal to grow a second tusk.

While this is rare in Narwhals, the prehistoric whale Odobenocetops grew two backwards facing tusks, although this species isn’t closely related to any modern whale or dolphin (4)

The extant species the Strap-Toothed Whale (Mesopolodon layardii) also has extruding teeth, in this case two blade like canines that are used in interspecies combat

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - Fontanella, Janet E.; Fish, Frank E.; Rybczynski, Natalia; Nweeia, Martin T.; Ketten, Darlene R. (2010). "Three-dimensional geometry of the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) flukes in relation to hydrodynamics".Marine Mammal Science 27 (4): 889–898

3 - The Biology and Ecology of Narwhals". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 15 January 2009.

4 - Muizon, C.; Domning, D.; Parrish, M. (1999). "Dimorphic tusks and adaptive strategies in a new species of walrus-like dolphin (Odobenocetopsidae) from the Pliocene of Peru [Défenses dimorphiques et stratégies adaptatives chez une nouvelle espèce de dauphin convergent vers les morses (Odobenocetopsidae) du Pliocène du Pérou]". Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences - Series IIA - Earth and Planetary Science 329 (6): 449–455

Picture References

1 - http://narwhalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/narwhal-sizes.jpg

2 - http://animalfactguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/arcticmap_narwhal.png

3 - http://awsassets.wwf.ca/img/original/hi_232821.jpg

4 - http://40.media.tumblr.com/a9a925186b5ebfb1bf461b982cb53d10/tumblr_mzpj5raCs81s5f2yxo1_1280.png

As such the Narwhal shows us how nature is more amazing then legend, something that affects next week’s creature (make sure to have your necronomicon handy). But until then critic, comment and check out past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

It’s April once again, a joyous and wonderful month, and yes I am still taking my meds before anyone asks me. Last week the sexually aggressive Western Capercaillie took to the lek and showed off his strength. This week’s creature is an intelligent and illusive forest dweller, immortalized in mythology dating back to the Ancient Greeks…

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Issue #61 - Hamadryad

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Reptillia

Order – Squamata

Family – Elaphidae

Genus – Ophidiophagus

Species – hannah

Related Species - Despite its other common name, the King Cobra, this species is not related to other cobra species. (1)

Range

The Snake Terminator

The King Cobra, is the longest venomous snake in the world, with an average length of three to five meters, and a weight of just under six kilograms. These snakes come in a range of colours, ranging from olive green to black, and all possess yellow banding on their backs, although in most specimens this isn’t easily seen by the naked eye. Like the true cobras (Naja sp) and a wide range of other snakes, the King Cobra has modified ribs, used to spread a ‘hood’ to make it look more intimidating when defending itself. In addition to this display the King Cobra will ‘growl’, beings one of two snakes that can accomplish this feat, to further intimidate any predators (2).

A hunting King Cobra behaves very differently from one forced into defence, with the snake remaining silent, and locking onto even the smallest movement with their excellent vision. As their genus name suggests, the King Cobra predominantly hunts other snakes, including small pythons, other cobras and vipers, usually subduing them with a swift bite followed by constriction of the prey. In addition to snakes, the species also takes small mammals, birds and other reptiles, and has been known to display cannibalistic tendencies outside the mating season.

King Cobra mating occurs in January, and often takes a few days, with the male following the female around the forest floor, and fending off rival animals, also looking to mate with her. Once done the female will construct a nest mound, using her to create a heap of leaves, twigs and other vegetation, and then lays up to forty eggs in the top, before covering them with more greenery. Once completed, the female King Cobra will stand guard on her nest until the eggs hatch, and she if forced to give up her vigil to make sure she doesn't feed on her own hatchlings (3). Young King Cobras are arboreal, and reach sexual maturity around the age of six years old.

Five Fun King Cobra Facts

The name Hamadryad, refers to the occasional tree dwelling nature of the King Cobra. A few other arboreal animals have Hamdryasas either a species or genus name, harking to their tree dwelling nature.

Still of all these ‘Hamadryads’ the King Cobra is the most infamous. The Ancient GreekGeographer Strabo described the animal thusly; “to live on trees, darting down upon and killing other snakes as well as animals and men. It was the great Cobra de Capello, the death snake of the ancient Druids…The monster is given as seventeen to nineteen feet long; an oviparous serpent only known in the dense woods and wilds of India, beyond the Ganges” (4)

In addition to their fearsome reputation, the King Cobra is reportedly the most intelligent of any snake. In captivity individuals have learnt to identify their keepers, as well as recognizing not to strike their own reflections, mirrored on their tank.

Wild King Cobras have shown to be fairly placid, and can control the amount of venom they release per bite in defensive encounters.

Even newly hatched King Cobras have the potential to kill. Their venom is as fully developed and as lethal as a fully grown adults.

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - Young, Bruce A. (1991). "Morphological basis of "growling" in the king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah". Journal of Experimental Zoology260 (3): 275–8

3 - http://animals.pawnation.com/life-cycle-king-cobra-snake-6653.html

4 - Ward, Cyrenas. O (1900) A History of the Ancient Working People: From the Earliest Known Period to the Adoption of Christianity by Constantine, Volume 2

Picture References

1 - http://cdn4.sci-news.com/images/enlarge/image_1595_1e-King-cobra.jpg

2 - http://www.buzzle.com/images/snakes/king-cobra-range-map.jpg

3 - http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/A3/A3AD5183-DC05-4D6B-844C-7911AE70C9A6/Presentation.Large/King-cobra-resting.jpg

4 - http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/84/8471D4F3-9327-454F-8355-1C1C002CE3EF/Presentation.Large/Juvenile-king-cobra---defensive-posture.jpg

That everyone, is the Hamadryad or King Cobra, not so much a nymph but hardly a hideous dragon either. Next weeks we have a toothy request from @ms-lola. But until then critic, comment and check out past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

April Fools

Impurest Cheese