#monotypic

Sagittarius serpentarius

Α visualization of Phoenix (Φ)

secretarybird, large eagle-like body on crane-like legs bird of prey

Grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region and Philippines

The generic name Sagittarius is Latin for "archer", and the epithet serpentarius is from serpens meaning "serpent" or "snake"

The Zoological Society of London proposed three species of secretarybird, distinguishing those from Senegambia, South Africa, and a Philippines distinct species. There is no other evidence this taxon existed. Despite its large range, the secretarybird is considered monotypic: no subspecies!

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the secretarybird as vulnerable (2016) and endangered species (2020)

Guaiabero ~ Bolbopsittacus lunulatus

The Guaiabero is a smallish, stout parrot that is a member of the family  Psittaculidae  (subfamily Agapornithinae). It belongs to the monotypic, meaning it is the only species in said, genus Bolbopsittacus. Endemic to the Phillapienes, it gets its name due to its love of the guava fruit.

The males and females differ slightly in appearance, the males having more blue on the face and a darker grey beak. The females also have black crescent markings on the nape and rump. When breeding these birds have been observed to nest in dug out cavities in ant or termite nests in trees.

Blue ridge coral, Heliopora coerulea! there are several weird things about this species, for starters, it is not a member of scleratinia, its an octocoral, or as octocorals are often called in the aquarium trade a soft coral. Doesn’t look very soft to me... It forms massive plates, branches, or columns, also, its the only member of the genus heliopora, the family Helioporidae, and one of the only two extant members of order helioporacea, the only known coral to produce a blue skeleton, and one of the only hermatypic (reef building) octocorals. Why is it blue? Heliopora coerulea includes iron salts in its aragonite skeleton. It also makes an excellent aquarium specimen, even though it is not terribly colorful on the outside, it is a very hardy, and photosynthetic coral (if you do keep live corals please try to purchase aquacultured specimens) Intererstingly, its not the only member of octocorals to produce a skeleton.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 10 October 2017

This rare deciduous small tree or large shrub, Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin tree) can sadly no longer be found in the wild. It is the only species in this (monotypic) genus with dark green, glossy leaves that turn bright crimson in the autumn while the fragrant white flowers appear. It has been described as “challenging to grow” needing a rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and disliking root disturbance or drought once established. This beautiful plant was flowering at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley, Surrey, UK, where I was fortunate to be meeting the new group of Master of Horticulture (MHort) students and the second years.