Hova Mole Tenrec

Mammals > Tenrecs

The Hova Mole Tenrec (Oryzorictes hova), also known as the Rice Tenrec, is an extraordinary, subterranean afrotherian mammal endemic strictly to the lush, mist-shrouded rainforests and wetland valleys of eastern Madagascar. Belonging to the endemic Malagasy family...

Pseudoflower Rust

Fungi > Rust Fungi

The Pseudoflower Rust (Puccinia monoica) is an extraordinary and scientifically celebrated rust fungus native to the high montane and subalpine meadows of western North America. Belonging to the basidiomycete order Pucciniales, this obligate biotrophic plant pathogen...

Birdcatcher Tree

Plants > Nyctaginaceae & Trees

The Birdcatcher Tree (Pisonia grandis), known also as the cabbage tree or lettuce tree, is an iconic, fast-growing littoral broadleaf tree that forms the dominant forest canopy on tropical coral atolls throughout the Indo-Pacific. Belonging to the four-o’clock...

Highfin Lizardfish

Fish > Lizardfishes

The Highfin Lizardfish (Bathysaurus mollis) is a formidable, prehistoric-looking apex predator prowling the sunless depths of the abyssal ocean floor. Inhabiting bathypelagic and abyssal plains down to nearly 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) beneath the surface, this...

Chameleon Gecko

Reptiles > Geckos

The Chameleon Gecko (Carphodactylus laevis) is a singular, archaic Australian lizard endemic strictly to the primeval rainforests of Queensland’s Wet Tropics. The sole member of its monotypic genus within the ancient Australasian family Carphodactylidae, this...