Invertebrates > Beroidae & Nuda Ctenophores
The Ovate Comb Jelly (Beroe ovata) is a translucent, barrel-shaped ctenophore belonging to the class Nuda, a distinct evolutionary group of comb jellies entirely devoid of feeding tentacles. Propelling itself through pelagic waters via eight pulsating longitudinal...
Fish > Himantolophidae & Footballfishes
The Atlantic Footballfish (Himantolophus groenlandicus) is an enigmatic ceratioid deep-sea anglerfish drifting through the perpetual twilight and midnight bathypelagic depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Characterized by its globular, heavily armored body and luminous...
Birds > Ardeidae & Night Herons
The Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) is an unusual, nocturnal waterbird native to the mangrove forests and freshwater swamps of Central and South America. Set apart from all other ardeids by its massive, flattened scoop-like bill and disproportionately...
Mammals > Macroscelididae & Elephant Shrews
The Four-toed Elephant Shrew (Petrodromus tetradactylus), commonly referred to by its indigenous name sengi, is an agile Afrotherian mammal inhabiting dense understory corridors across central and southeastern Africa. Distinct from true shrews, sengis belong to the...
Fungi > Auriscalpiaceae & Toothed Fungi
The Pinecone Tooth Fungus (Auriscalpium vulgare), also popularly called the pinecone mushroom or ear-pick fungus, is a delightful, diminutive hydnoid basidiomycete that occupies a highly specialized ecological niche in northern coniferous forests. Growing almost...
