A semi-aquatic rodent found in North America is the marsh rice rat. This rodent is found on the southern and eastern side of the USA as well as north-east Mexico. It was first discovered in 1816 by John Bachman, but it was only formally scientifically described in 1837. Since then, several sub-species have been described
The Oryzomys is a genus of semi-aquatic rodents that belong to the Oryzomyini tribe. These rodents live in southern North America to northern South America. There are 8 species of Oryzomys in the world, 2 of which are marsh rice rats which have various ranges, some of which overlap each other. An Oryzomys palustris in
The myxosporean parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis, affects salmonoid fishes such as trout and salmon. This parasite causes a whirling disease in farmed trout and salmon, as well as in wild fish populations. It was first scientifically described from a rainbow trout specimen from Germany over 100 years ago, but this has unfortunately spread around the world
The Miniopterus griveaudi is a bat that was found on the Grande Comore and Anjouan in the Comoros and Madagascar. This bat has a forearm length of about 35 to 38 mm. It is dark brown, but sometimes it is reddish in colour. It has a tragus which is a projection like object inside its
One of the breeds of domesticated ducks is the Aylesbury duck, which was bred for its appearance and its meat. The origins of this duck is unclear, but raising white ducks became popular in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England during the 18th century due to demand of the Aylesbury duck’s white feathers for quilts. During the 19th
The Lavanify is a genus of mammals from Madagascar that dates back to the Maastrichtian era in the late Cretaceous period, which was about 71 – 66 million years ago. Only one species is recognised, and is known from just 2 teeth which were collected in the mid-1990’s. This animal is a member of the
Originating from England in the 17th century, the Cleveland Bay is a horse that was named after its colouring (bay) and the Cleveland district in Yorkshire. This horse is well-muscled, and it is the oldest established horse breed in England. It is also the only non-draught horse that was developed in Great Britain. Sharing a
Hammond’s Rice Rat is also known as Hammond’s Orzyomys. It is a rodent species that belongs to the tribe, Oryzomyini of the family, Cricetidae. It is only known to occur in Ecuador’s montane forest. It is reported to live on the ground and is associated with water and lives in trees. It has a large,
Also known as False Oryzomys, the Brazilian False Rice Rat (Pseudoryzomys simplex)- is a rodent species from south-central South America. This species is not well known although it is classified by the IUCN of having “Least Concern” conservation status. Lectotype partial cranium of the Brazilian False Rice Rat by Voss and Myers However, what we
Belonging to the genus Tursiops, Bottlenose dolphins are the most common and most famous members of the family, Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins). They live in warm and temperate seas worldwide. There are a few member species of the genus Tursiops. Bottlenose dolphin with its young Molecular genetics has provided insight into the genus Tursiops. There is
One of the most widespread swallow species in the world is the Barn Swallow. This passerine bird can be found in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This bird was first described scientifically by Carolus Linnaeus in his renowned work, Systema Naturae which was published in 1758. He gave this animal the name, Hirundo rustica.
The Deinonychus – or ‘Terrible Claw’ in English – was a carnivorous dromaeosaurid dinosaur. These is only 1 described species. This dinosaur lived during the early Cretaceous Period during the mid-Aptian to early Albian stages, which was about 115 – 108 million years ago. Its fossils have been found in Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Montana in
