Deraniyagala’s Beaked Whale

Mammals > Cetaceans

Deraniyagala’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon hotaula) is an enigmatic and extraordinarily elusive ziphiid whale inhabitant of the deepest oceanic realms of the tropical Indo-Pacific. First proposed as a distinct species in 1963 by Sri Lankan zoologist P.E.P....

Round Ribbontail Ray

Fish > Rays

The Round Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura meyeni), frequently referred to by divers as the blotched fantail ray or giant reef ray, is one of the largest and most impressive whiptail stingrays navigating the warm coral reefs of the tropical Indo-Pacific. Featuring an immense,...

Walston’s Tube-nosed Bat

Mammals > Bats

Walston’s Tube-nosed Bat (Murina walstoni) is an enigmatic microbat discovered in 2011 during comprehensive biological surveys of the Greater Mekong region. Named in honor of mammalogist Joe Walston, this diminutive flyer belongs to the specialized subfamily...

Pearl River Stingray

Fish > River Stingrays

The Pearl River Stingray (Potamotrygon jabuti) is a mesmerizing obligate freshwater stingray endemic to the crystal-clear waters of the Rio Xingu basin in the Brazilian Amazon. Formally described in 2008, it is revered by ichthyologists and nature enthusiasts for its...

Totoro Velvet Worm

Invertebrates > Velvet Worms

The Totoro Velvet Worm (Eoperipatus totoro) is a fascinating onychophoran discovered in 2013 within the humid lowland rainforests of Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. Named by scientists after the fictional multi-legged forest creature in Hayao Miyazaki’s...