September 14, 2024

An index to my various Posts on hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)

Posted on September 14, 2024 10:58 PM by milewski milewski | 0 comments | Leave a comment

A comparison of the incidence of dome nests in Australia and southern Africa, under similar mediterranean and adjacent arid climates

Dome nests (https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/murray/articles,-plans-and-publications/nrm-news-november-2020/birds-and-their-nests) are those combining the following characteristics:

  • essentially spherical (with a lateral aperture for entrance/exit) as opposed to cup- or bowl-shaped,
  • woven out of plant fibre (and spiderweb in some cases), as opposed to being made from mud, and
  • located in relatively exposed positions, as opposed to inside hollows/holes in wood or the ground.

The concealment and enclosure of eggs and the incubating adult present obvious adaptive advantages relative to predation.

Australia and southern Africa have similar climates and substrates, but differ greatly their regimes of predation. The former landmass is relatively poor in predators, whereas the latter landmass is rich in predators.

An intercontinental comparison can be based on those regions with similar mediterranean-type and adjacent climates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_climate and https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-65520-3_8#:~:text=The%20mediterranean%2Dtype%20climate%20of,the%20western%20half%20of%20Victoria. and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01811789.1984.10826662).

In this Post, I exclude migratory birds that breed in the Northern Hemisphere, wintering in the Southern Hemisphere.

The following spp. of birds build dome nests in the relevant regions.

AUSTRALIA

Estrildidae:

Stagonopleura all three spp. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagonopleura)

Acanthizidae:

Acanthiza apicalis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72439-Acanthiza-apicalis
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13469-Acanthiza-chrysorrhoa
Acanthiza inornata https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13466-Acanthiza-inornata
Acanthiza iredalei https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13472-Acanthiza-iredalei
Acanthiza lineata https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13467-Acanthiza-lineata
Acanthiza nana https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13470-Acanthiza-nana
Acanthiza pusilla https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13468-Acanthiza-pusilla
Acanthiza reguloides https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13471-Acanthiza-reguloides
Acanthiza robustirostris https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13475-Acanthiza-robustirostris
Acanthiza uropygialis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13464-Acanthiza-uropygialis

Aphelocephala leucopsis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13522-Aphelocephala-leucopsis

Calamanthus campestris https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/979632-Calamanthus-campestris
Calamanthus fuliginosus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13527-Calamanthus-fuliginosus
Calamanthus montanellus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/548191-Calamanthus-montanellus

Gerygone fusca https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13491-Gerygone-fusca
Gerygone olivacea https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13490-Gerygone-olivacea

Hylacola cauta https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72928-Hylacola-cauta
Hylacola pyrrhopygia https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72929-Hylacola-pyrrhopygia

Pyrrholaemus brunneus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13477-Pyrrholaemus-brunneus

Sericornis maculatus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1444429-Sericornis-maculatus

Smicrornis brevirostris https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13540-Smicrornis-brevirostris

Maluridae:

Amytornis textilis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/509110-Amytornis-textilis

Malurus assimilis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/827392-Malurus-assimilis
Malurus cyaneus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12065-Malurus-cyaneus
Malurus elegans https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12063-Malurus-elegans
Malurus leucopterus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12093-Malurus-leucopterus
Malurus pulcherrimus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12072-Malurus-pulcherrimus
Malurus splendens https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12083-Malurus-splendens

Stipiturus malachurus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12133-Stipiturus-malachurus
Stipiturus mallee https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12072-Malurus-pulcherrimus

Cisticolidae (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisticolidae):

Cisticola exilis (South Australia only) https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7657-Cisticola-exilis

Acrocephalidae:

Acrocephalus australis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116794-Acrocephalus-australis

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Ploceidae:

Euplectes capensis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13964-Euplectes-capensis
Euplectes orix https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13962-Euplectes-orix

Ploceus capensis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13801-Ploceus-capensis
Ploceus velatus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13804-Ploceus-velatus

Quelea quelea https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14005-Quelea-quelea

Estrildidae:

Amadina erythrocephala https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14095-Amadina-erythrocephala

Coccopygia melanotis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/979663-Coccopygia-melanotis

Estrilda astrild https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13770-Estrilda-astrild

Ortygospiza atricollis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204557-Ortygospiza-atricollis

Spermestes cucullata https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/367700-Spermestes-cucullata

Nectariniidae:

Anthobaphes violacea https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145130-Anthobaphes-violacea

Chalcomitra amethystina https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145142-Chalcomitra-amethystina

Cinnyris afer https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145163-Cinnyris-afer

Cinnyris chalybeus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145157-Cinnyris-chalybeus
Cinnyris fuscus https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145189-Cinnyris-fuscus

Nectarinia famosa https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13300-Nectarinia-famosa

Cisticolidae:

Apalis thoracica https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7742-Apalis-thoracica

Cisticola fulvicapilla https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72731-Cisticola-fulvicapilla
Cisticola juncidis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7697-Cisticola-juncidis
Cisticola subruficapilla https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72733-Cisticola-subruficapilla
Cisticola textrix https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7700-Cisticola-textrix
Cisticola tinniens https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7660-Cisticola-tinniens

Eremomela icteropygialis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204508-Eremomela-icteropygialis
Eremomela gregalis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15460-Eremomela-gregalis

Euryptila subcinnamomea https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7782-Euryptila-subcinnamomea

Malcorus pectoralis https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7703-Malcorus-pectoralis

Phragmacia substriata https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/73280-Phragmacia-substriata

Prinia maculosa https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7730-Prinia-maculosa

Acrocephalidae:

Acrocephalus gracilirostris https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116798-Acrocephalus-gracilirostris
Acrocephalus scirpaceus (check residency) https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204455-Acrocephalus-scirpaceus

Macrosphenidae:

Sylvietta rufescens https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15254-Sylvietta-rufescens

Paridae:

Melaniparus afer (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144845-Melaniparus-afer)

Remizidae:

Anthoscopus minutus (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13671-Anthoscopus-minutus)

Posted on September 14, 2024 12:45 AM by milewski milewski | 2 comments | Leave a comment

September 13, 2024

The biogeographical anomaly of the brown honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta) in southwestern Australia

INTRODUCTION

Lichmera indistincta is common in southwestern Australia, including the Perth Metropolitan area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth).

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03014223.1985.10428310 and https://library.sprep.org/content/introductory-ecological-biogeography-australo-pacific-meliphagidae

Meliphagids (Meliphagidae, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeyeater) are diverse and abundant in Australasia.

Most forms are somewhat specialised for the consumption of nectar. The most specialised forms have long beaks, suitable for probing flowers and inflorescences.

Some genera of meliphagids are associated with the temperate zone of Australia, whereas others are associated with the tropics.

Genera associated mainly with the temperate zone include

The following genera are ambivalent:

Genera associated mainly with the tropics include

Posted on September 13, 2024 05:06 PM by milewski milewski | 2 comments | Leave a comment

September 12, 2024

Observations on the eyes and ocular system of the Australian raven (Corvus coronoides)

In my neighbourhood in the Perth metropolitan area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth), the Australian raven (Corvus coronoides, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/8040-Corvus-coronoides and https://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=420) is so common that I interact with it every day.

Recently, I encountered a particularly bold adult individual, presumably male (https://www.perplexity.ai/search/in-adults-of-corvus-coronoides-o5VBIG8MRtaJGtucfTFW6A). I took the opportunity to examine its eyes from close-up (a distance of less than one metre).

I noticed that

My commentary is as follows:

It has been written that the eyes of birds tend to differ from those of primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate) in being

  • fixed in their sockets, and
  • laterally, as opposed to frontally, placed on the head.

According to the above view, birds tend to move their heads, not their eyes, in aid of shifting their gaze.

However, my observations of the Australian raven have shown that this species - although it certainly does frequently move its head in shifting its gaze - actually resembles primates to a considerable degree. I refer particularly to

The following recalls what I observed: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=australian+raven+close-up+video&sca_esv=708ca891a389fdf3&sxsrf=ADLYWIKUe67CMaLLUO6NoPhFPf0QBVivrg%3A1726103610727&ei=OkDiZsH5K4X2seMP5eH4wAM&ved=0ahUKEwjB_r-EnbyIAxUFe2wGHeUwHjgQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=australian+raven+close-up+video&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiH2F1c3RyYWxpYW4gcmF2ZW4gY2xvc2UtdXAgdmlkZW8yBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUiDIVCIB1j6FnABeAGQAQCYAaACoAHaC6oBAzItNrgBA8gBAPgBAZgCB6ACngzCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIHECEYoAEYCpgDAIgGAZAGCJIHBzEuMC41LjGgB58S&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:dd5219bc,vid:Oy-5zAtAmZE,st:0.

However, in this footage I see subtle, split-second fluctuations in the size of the pupil, which I did not notice in my own scrutiny of the specimen in question. This 'eye-pinning' is not nearly as obvious as in https://www.tiktok.com/@blueplanetpets/video/7057245366206565679?lang=en. However, it may deserve further investigation in genus Corvus.

Posted on September 12, 2024 12:00 AM by milewski milewski | 5 comments | Leave a comment

September 11, 2024

The paradox of the fire-loving crayfishes

Posted on September 11, 2024 10:28 AM by milewski milewski | 1 comment | Leave a comment

New pelvic thrusts in a fishy world

Posted on September 11, 2024 03:07 AM by milewski milewski | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Part 2: 'Plumosaurs', a new name for the dinosaurs that flew as permanent dinosaurs, not as proto-birds

Posted on September 11, 2024 01:17 AM by milewski milewski | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 08, 2024

Examples of chimaeric camouflage (in predators) and chimaeric mimicry (in prey): the tiger (Panthera tigris) and the caterpillar of the lobster moth (Stauropus fagi)

@ptexis @jeremygilmore @ludwig_muller @christiaan_viljoen @matthewinabinett @simontonge @paradoxornithidae @tonyrebelo @dinofelis @botswanabugs @pelagicgraf @kakariki14 @magicsonic @lefebvremax @marina_gorbunova @beartracker

Please also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfcGwk9dBlY&t=5s.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

A chimaera is any mythical beast composed of incongruous parts, i.e. like a composite of different animals (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimera).

What is the relevance of the concept of a chimaera in the real world of natural history?

Well, incongruity in the composite appearance of a real animal can, in biological terms, have adaptive value.

For predators, the obvious value of the incongruity in question is in camouflage-colouration. This is because

  • camouflage basically disrupts any search-image for the predator on the part of the prey, and
  • any incongruity within the camouflage pattern can potentially further disrupt the search-image.

An example of chimaeric camouflage is Panthera tigris (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41967-Panthera-tigris), in which the pattern of striping is oddly heterogeneous on various parts of the body.

For prey, the obvious adaptive value of the incongruity in question is in bewildering the predator, delaying identification of the prey by the predator, and thus buying time for escape.

Mimicry, in this context, is the false resemblance between a species of prey and some other species, usually better-defended from predation.

This deception can be effective even if there is no precise resemblance between the mimic and any particular species of model, as explained by Philip E Howse (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4543260.Philip_E_Howse). Thus, confusion can be achieved in conjunction with mimicry of dangerous models.

Given the trade-off between precise mimicry on one hand, and a confusing appearance on the other, it is possible for a prey species to gain adaptive benefit by vaguely mimicking several different models within a single body.

An example of chimaeric mimicry is Stauropus fagi (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/451846-Stauropus-fagi).

Let us now examine each of these spp. in turn.

PANTHERA TIGRIS

In the public mind, the camouflage-colouration of Panthera tigris is one of fairly uniform striping (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/fur-pattern-of-endangered-tiger-dist-asia-but-royalty-free-image/139820422?adppopup=true and https://www.naturepl.com/stock-photo-bengal-tiger-panthera-tigris-tigris-stalking-deer-ranthambore-np-nature-image01234677.html and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/during-patrolling-her-territory-this-pregnant-1474249925).

However, a closer examination shows that the striping is a patchwork of at least four categories, on various parts of the figure, as follows:

The following illustrate the heterogeneity, within each individual, of these patterns:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/215448957

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ipilot777/5912555495/

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184031493

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180925182

In summary, what I point out in this Post is that, in its adaptive colouration,

  • P. tigris is like a composite animal, and
  • this internal incongruity presumably enhances its camouflage.

STAUROPUS FAGI

Howse (2010, https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Butterflies.html?id=A0_dRgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y), on page 119, describes the caterpillar of S. fagi as follows:

"The young caterpillar is black and has three pairs of very long jointed legs (the true legs), bearing an unmistakeable resemblance to an ant. When it is larger, the caterpillar is pale brown and is said to resemble a lobster...To my eye, the only possible inference of a lobster is in the long, thin-jointed, stick-like front legs...Hugh Newman, in his book 'British Moths and Their Haunts' describes it thus: 'It is almost a beefsteak red with a ridged back like some prehistoric monster, while the whole of the hind portion is flattened and somewhat resembles the expanded head of an angry cobra. When touched or alarmed it will bend back this tail portion if its body while at the same time rearing up its front parts and waving its abnormally long legs in a threatening manner'...what Newman fails to mention is that the last pair of false legs are modified to give the appearance of a bifid tongue, adding credence to an image of a snake head at one end of the body. What is also striking is that this 'head' is very similar indeed to the last bulbous segment of a scorpion's tail, which contains...a sharply curved barb. At the other end, the rounded head with waving legs is very indicative of a spider. This caterpillar is doubly ambiguous, and perhaps triply so, the whole ensemble of deception suggesting a spider with snake and scorpion features."

In a caption in the same page, Howse (2010) states:
"Caterpillar of ...Stauropus fagi...with elongated forelegs and a bulbous head that resembles the legs and body of a large spider. Viewed upside down, the swollen terminal abdominal segments are seen more clearly to resemble both a snake's head with teeth and forked tongue and the bulbous sting of a scorpion."

The following illustrate the caterpillar of S. fagi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFcE2Va1INw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM18oVn-BSg

http://www.pyrgus.de/Stauropus_fagi_en.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank-deschandol/32249491647

https://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/StauroFagi.htm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank-deschandol/32249491647

https://www.alamy.com/lobster-moth-stauropus-fagi-larva-image1835995.html

https://www.alamy.com/lobster-moth-stauropus-fagi-larva-image1835995.html

DISCUSSION

The observation I have made here about P. tigris may be original, despite the familiarity of this felid.

I have previously pointed out an example of chimaeric mimicry in another felid (https://explorebioedge.com/2016/03/10/chimaera-mimicry-in-juvenile-cheetah/ and https://explorebioedge.com/2016/01/30/photo-insight-template/).

In the case of the insect, my account reflects that of Howse (2010). The only original aspect of my coverage here is the chimaeric analogy.

Posted on September 08, 2024 11:42 PM by milewski milewski | 11 comments | Leave a comment

Coital fanging in giant cartilaginous fishes

Posted on September 08, 2024 08:32 PM by milewski milewski | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Why no native counterparts for eucalypts in southern Africa?

Posted on September 08, 2024 08:10 PM by milewski milewski | 0 comments | Leave a comment