Darth Vader Begonia

Plants > Begonias

The Darth Vader Begonia (Begonia darthvaderiana) is an extraordinary botanical species described in 2014 from West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Named for the iconic Star Wars character due to its dramatic, near-jet-black foliage framed by an electric...

Perijá Tapaculo

Birds > Tapaculos

The Perijá Tapaculo (Scytalopus perijanus) is a secretive, ground-dwelling passerine officially described in 2015 from the isolated Serranía del Perijá mountain massif bordering Colombia and Venezuela. Belonging to the notoriously cryptic family Rhinocryptidae, this...

Northern Hopping Mouse

Mammals > Rodents

The Northern Hopping Mouse (Notomys aquilo) is an agile bipedal rodent native to the pristine coastal dune belts and heathlands of northern Australia. Endemic primarily to Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria and remnant mainland enclaves, this endearing rodent...

Hooded Dotterel

Birds > Wading Birds & Shorebirds

The Hooded Dotterel (Thinornis cucullatus), fondly known in Australia as the ‘hoodie,’ is an iconic coastal shorebird endemic to the dynamic wave-swept sandy beaches of southern Australia and Tasmania. Sporting a striking, velvety black hood, snowy white...

Ribbonwood

Plants > Ancient Angiosperms & Trees

The Ribbonwood (Idiospermum australiense), known famously in Australian folklore as the ‘Idiot Fruit,’ is one of the most astonishing botanical living fossils on Earth. Representing the sole surviving member of its ancient family (Calycanthaceae subfamily...