Monday 28 January 2013 The Maori Wrasse - A Colorful, Inquisitive Tropical Fish

The Maori wrasse (Ophthalmolepis lineolata) is an oceanic fish that inhabits the coral reefs, rocky coasts and sandy, weedy bays off eastern and southern Australia. It also thrives in New Zealand waters, notably in Nelson Bay. The Maori wrasse is noted for its striking colors and "friendliness" toward humans, which some believe could lead to ecological complications.

Colors change with age. Females and young fish are reddish-orange or crimson, fading in color intensity on the underside. Males, which are larger, feature side stripes and blue markings about the body and head. These markings remind of the tattoos common among the Maori culture of New Zealand, hence the name.

More than 400 species of wrasses have been identified in the world's oceans. Most swim tropical and temperate waters. They generally prefer relatively shallow coral and rocky environs, although in cooler waters, Maori wrasses may be found at depths of 60 meters (197 feet).

The fish grow as long as 47 centimeters (18 inches) and weigh as much as .9 kilograms (2 pounds). They are not at all skittish. Divers easily can approach closely and take pictures. In fact, Maori wrasses often follow swimmers and divers through the water. It has been suggested Maori wrasses are as curious about humans as humans are about them.

The classification "Maori wrasse" has been applied to numerous fish, and Ophthalmolepis lineolata has been confused with similar species. For example, the Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) also has been dubbed "Maori wrasse." The Humphead is the largest species in the wrasse group. Ophthalmolepis lineolata may be distinguished as the "southern" Maori wrasse. It has been called the Maori parrotfish, Australian Maori wrasse, Rainbow-fish and simply Maori - but some of those names, too, have been confused.

Wrasses have sharp front teeth and crushing molars along the throat, employed to fragment prey. Wrasses eat mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates of different sizes. The Maori wrasse feeds on benthic (ocean floor) invertebrates. Wrasses are the victims, in turn, of larger predator fish such as sharks, barracudas and eels.

Maori wrasses regularly are brought up as a by-catch by coastal net fishers. In some areas, regulations prohibit commercial use; regulations vary by wrasse species. The Maori wrasse is used a bait fish and is exported as an aquarium fish. Certain other species of wrasses are considered edible delicacies.

While not endangered presently, Maori wrasses face long-term threats resulting from reef deterioration.

Picture of the Maori wrasse by Richard Ling from NSW, Australia, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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Tuesday 22 January 2013 Chilean guemal - Chile's endangered national symbol

The Chilean guemal (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is a highly endangered species of deer found in the high, frigid mountains of Chile and Argentina. They are also sometimes called the Chilean huemul, South Andean huemul, Patagonia huemul and taruca. With compact bodies and short legs, this species is well-adapted to surviving in the rugged and difficult terrains of the Andes mountains. They have long been a symbol of Chile and are depicted on its national coat-of-arms.

As with most species of deer, the Chilean guemal is distinguished with a short tail and thick coat of hair. Their hide is brown to grayish-brown across the back and sides, tapering to white on the undersides and along the throat. They are known for their very thick, curly hairs which help protect them in weather that is often well below zero. Their average weight and height ranges from 70 kg. (154 lbs.) and 80 cm. (31 in.) for does to 90 kg. (198 lbs.) and 90 cm. (35 in.) for bucks. Only the bucks have antlers, which they shed each year at the end of winter. Bucks also have a distinctive black face mask which is shaped like an elongated heart. All fawns are born without spots.

Although they were once very common in the mountainous regions of lower, southwestern South America, the populations of Chilean guemal are now found only in Chile and very limited parts of Argentina. They prefer to live in herds consisting of both males and females. Most of their time during the summer months is spent in very high and rugged mountain cliffs while in winter they prefer the lower, forested valleys. Their diets consist mainly of plants and shrubs such as lichens, grasses and leaves.

The status of the Chilean guemal is now ranked as extremely endangered. Although the cougar is its only major natural predator, many other factors have caused a rapid decline in the species populations over the past two decades. These factors include hunting by local humans for meat, fire and erosion destruction of native habitats, disease transmitted by livestock and competition for food arising from the growing populations of non-native Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). At this time, the remaining populations are found only in the Aysen Region of Chile and in a very small section of adjacent Argentina where their numbers are estimated to be as low as 350 surviving individuals.

Picture of the Chilean guemal by magical-world, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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Monday 21 January 2013 Barbary Macaque - Tailless pickpocket

The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is a monkey species that primarily inhabits the mountainous regions of Algeria and Morocco. After a small population was introduced into the British territory of Gibraltar, this species also became known as the Barbary Ape. However, this is misleading because the Barbary macaque is a true monkey and not an ape. The populations of these monkeys in Gibraltar are the only primate species, besides humans, to live freely in Europe.

As opposed to most species of monkeys, the Barbary macaque has only a stub for a tail. Their fur is brownish-gray across the backs and outer limbs with undersides that are lighter in color. They are medium-sized and heavy built with front limbs that are longer then the rear limbs. Their maximum size is 75 cm (30 in) and they can weigh as much as 13 kg (29 lb). One of their distinguishing features is the almost human-like agility of the front hands, which the population in Gibraltar uses for adeptly picking the pockets of tourists. They walk on all four limbs, but will occasionally rise on their hind limbs to monitor for threats.

Although they were once common throughout all of North Africa and southern Europe, the primary populations of Barbary macaques are now only found in the high plains and mountains of Algeria and Morocco. They are gregarious in nature, forming groups of both males and females consisting of 10 to 30 individuals. They prefer dwelling in forests of cedar, pine and oak and are equally comfortable on the ground or in trees. Their main activities occur during daylight hours when they range throughout large territories feeding upon leaves, fruits, roots, seeds and insects. The structure of their groups is highly social and unique in that the males participate equally with females in the raising of their young.

Due to their relatively large size as adultstps://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/mammals/Artiodactyla/"> Even-toed ungulates