Amphibians > Salamanders & Newts
The Mountain Spiny Newt (Echinotriton maxiquadratus) is a heavily armored, archaic salamander native to the cloud-covered slopes of the Nanling Mountains in southern China. Described in 2014, this terrestrial newt features prominent rib-bearing defensive spines and a...
Mammals > Golden Moles & Chrysochloridae
Gunning’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus gunningi) is an exceptionally rare, subterranean afrotherian mammal endemic strictly to a tiny geographic enclave within the misty montane forests of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Belonging to the ancient lineage...
Fungi > Polypores & Bracket Fungi
The Oak Polypore (Buglossoporus quercinus), also known as the Bugloss Bracket, is one of Europe’s rarest and most iconic wood-decay macrofungi. Strictly tied to veteran English oaks (*Quercus robur* and *Quercus petraea*) that are often more than 200 to 400...
Mammals > Molossidae & Free-tailed Bats
The Bristle-faced Free-tailed Bat (Mormopterus eleryi) is one of Australia’s rarest, most secretive, and ecologically specialized microbats. First formally identified and separated from regional species complexes in 2008, this diminutive molossid bat navigates...
Plants > Asparagaceae & Dragon Trees
The Gebel Elba Dragon Tree (Dracaena ombet), also known as the Nubian dragon tree, is a magnificent and imperiled arborescent succulent native to the arid mountain summits bordering the Red Sea in northeastern Africa. Characterized by its monumental, umbrella-shaped...
