Species of the Day: Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)

Before I start this post I want to apologize for the long absence and lack of postings! This semester has proved to be more mentally draining than I expected but I'm finally getting a handle on things and am getting back in the routine of posting!

                                                    Macroglossum stellatarum

          The Hummingbird Hawk-Moth is a fascinating arthropod distributed widely from Southern Europe to North Africa and all they way to Japan. This moth is mainly remarkable for it's behaviour and morphology which make it seem incredibly similar to the hummingbird. This similarity is a wonderful example of convergent evolution, where to very disparate animals have evolved to fill the same ecological niche. This has resulted in a very similar appearance and behavioural adaptations.

                                                                vs.

                    (Above: A comparison of Macroglossum stellatarum vs. a Hummingbird.)


Macroglossum stellatarum buzzes along, much like the hummingbird drinking nectar from flowers. They also exhibit other similar behaviours to the hummingbird, such as being diurnal and returning to the same flowers, at the same time day after day. The latter behaviour allows the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth to time when a fresh nectar meal will ready after harvesting a flower. 

The above video shows the fascinating behaviour of a Macroglossum stellatarum feeding. This footage was captured in northern Europe. 

Species of the Day: Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)

The Lion's Mane jellyfish is a sea creature found predominantly in the icy north pacific, arctic and north atlantic oceans. Cyanea capillata is the world's largest jellyfish. The largest on record was found in Massachusetts Bay in 1870. That individual was larger than 7ft (2.1M) across the bell with tentacles greater than 120ft (36.5M) in length! Because of this length, Cyanea capillata is amongst the longest of all living organisms, being in competition with the Bootlace worm and the Blue Whale.

These animals are important ecologically as they act islands in the open ocean. As the Cyanea capillata floats in frosty, calm bays, many other sea creatures cluster around them, as the jellyfish provides food and shelter.

The Lion's Mane jellyfish is fed on by many large fish, seabirds and some turtles. The Leatherback Sea turtle lives almost exclusively off Cyanea capillata, travelling far and wide to reach the coasts of Eastern Canada to feed in Summer months.

Despite their massive size, the Lion's Mane jellyfish is not dangerous to humans as their sting merely causes discomfort.

Paul Nicklen's encounter with a Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)

Check out this awesome video about Paul Nicklen who is a National Geographic photographer. This video shows his efforts to get photos of a leopard seal. The Leopard seal is a notorious apex predator which can be quite dangerous. However as this video demonstrates, the Leopard seal may also be misunderstood. Watch this short clip to see some incredible footage:

Enjoy!

Species of the Day: Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)

Amorphophallus titanum (meaning "misshapen phallus titan") is a massive flower and is in fact the largest unbranched flower in the world. The colloquial name "Corpse Flower" comes from an odour given off by the flower which smells distinctly of decomposing flesh. This rotting smell attracts flies and therefore aids in cross pollination.

This flower grows only in the rain forests of Sumatra and holds the record for tallest flower in the world, having been cultivated to the height of 3.1 M!

Watch this clip from David Attenborough's Private Life of Plants to see the first footage of Amorphophallus titanum pollination ever.

Fruit Hunters (2012)

During my incredibly long flight from Canada to Australia I came across this Canadian documentary called Fruit Hunters, which premiered in 2012. Its an exploration of rare and exotic fruits from around the world. I was amazed by the beauty and diversity of fruit which existed in the world of which I was completely ignorant. This documentary inspired me to start hunting for new fruits myself. Fruit Hunters also makes me want to host a fruit party!!

Watch the documentary here and I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Part I:

Part II:

Enjoy!

Species of the Day: Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)

This fish-eating crocodile is native to the Indian subcontinent and is found nowhere else. It is critically endangered and is undergoing a rapid decline in population. One of three crocodile species native to India, alongside the Mugger Crocodile and Saltwater Crocodile, the Gharial is one of the longer living of all crocodilian species.

(Male Gavialis gangeticus exhibiting his ghara)

Although male Gharial can grow up to 20 ft. (6 M) they are almost never any danger to humans, as they live on nothing but fish, a few frogs and insects. Male Gharial have a bulbous protuberance on the end of their snout, known as a ghara which emerges as they reach sexual maturity. The ghara is used by Gavialis gangeticus to alter his hissing noises as a breeding display. Vocalizations are very important to all crocodilians and they are the most vocal of all reptiles and amphibians other than frogs. The vocalizations of the male Gharial can be heard over a km away making it an essential breeding tool for these nearly extinct fossils. The Gharial's snout is highly specialized for hunting fish as it is so long and thin, filled with 110 razor sharp teeth! No Gharial has ever been recorded to harm humans. The myth that they are dangerous to humans comes from their habit of eating jewellery, however this behaviour aids in buoyancy regulation.

According to IUCN there has been a 96-98% decline in Gharial population since 1946. They have dropped from around 10,000 individuals down to a mere 235 (2006). The population has been stressed due to over-hunting for skins, egg stealing for consumption, slaughter for eastern medicine and culling by competing fishers.

The Gharial is a fascinating and unique species, a remnant of an age gone by. It would truly be a shame if we let this species disappear into non-existence. Check out the Madras Crocodile Bank, which is on the frontline of the fight for Gharial survival!

http://www.madrascrocodilebank.org/cms/index.php

Here is a BBC clip which shows a clutch of Gharials hatching as well as demonstrates this remarkable species' aptitude for maternal care. Enjoy:

Species of the Day: Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus)

The Lammergeier, or Bearded Vulture is a species of vulture found in a vast range of environments. Gypaetus barbatus is found in the Alps of Europe, India, Africa and Tibet. This vulture is distinguished from old world vultures by its feathered neck/head (as opposed to the bald cranial regions typical of vultures). This vulture is usually recognized by its rust red colouration, however, the adult bird is actually mostly white. The rusty colour comes from the behaviour of dust bathing. The Lammergeier is also noted for having bristle-like feathers protruding from below its beak, hence the common english name, Bearded vulture.

The Lammergeier, like most vultures, lives almost exclusively off of carrion. Unlike most vultures, Gypaetus barbatus eats almost nothing but the bones of said carrion. Because the Bearded vulture cannot break large bones into digestible chunks with its beak, the Lammergeier has developed an extraordinary technique of bone destruction.

 The Lammergeier is famous for its habit of picking up heavy bones and flying high above piles of rocks. The vulture then drops the bones from heights of 50-150m onto the rock piles, where bones too large to swallow shatter into more appropriate sizes. The Lammergeier then swoops down and devours the small chunks of bone, absorbing the nutrients in the marrow.  Gypaetus barbatus can feed on bones up to 4kg (almost half its weight!) by using this specialized technique, and this method can take young vultures up to seven years to master. Although bone marrow makes up 85-90% of the Lammergeier's diet, the vulture has also been noted to use this technique on large live animals as well.

Watch the Lammergeier using this bone scavenging technique here: