recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Aedes japonicus

***Aedes japonicus*** was originally described in 1901 from Tokyo, Japan, the island of Honshu being its native range, but is now found in Belgium, China, France, Japan, South Korea, Panama, Russia, Taiwan, and the contiguous lower 48 United States. It was first recorded in New York and New Jersey in 1998. Its range is expected to eventually include much of North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Hawaii.

## Description

Adults live in forested areas and are day biters, but are apparently reluctant to bite humans. In the laboratory, they feed on chicks and mice but not on reptiles or amphibians. Larvae occur in a wide variety of natural and artificial water retainers such as tree holes and rock holes, usually preferring shaded places and water rich in organic matter. They are found from early spring to early autumn in their native habitat of Central Japan. They overwinter as eggs in cooler regions and larvae in warmer regions.

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Largetooth Sawfish

The **largetooth sawfish** (*Pristis pristis*, syn. *P. microdon* and *P. perotteti*) is a species of sawfish, family Pristidae. It is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, but also enters freshwater. It has declined drastically and is considered critically endangered.

A range of English names have been used for the species, or populations now part of the species, including **common sawfish** (despite it being far from common today), **wide sawfish**, **freshwater sawfish**, **river sawfish** (less frequently, other sawfish species also occur in freshwater and rivers), **Leichhardt's sawfish** and **northern sawfish**.

## Description

The largetooth sawfish possibly reaches up to 7.5 m (25 ft) in total length, but the largest confirmed was a West African individual that was 7 m (23 ft) long. An individual caught in 1951 at Galveston, Texas, which was documented on film but not measured, has been estimated to be of similar size. Today most individuals are far smaller and a typical length is 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft). Large individuals may weigh as much as 500–600 kg (1,102–1,323 lb), or possibly even more.

The largetooth sawfish is easily recognized by the forward position of the dorsal fin with its leading edge placed clearly in front of the leading edge of the pelvic fins(when the sawfish is seen from above or the side), the relatively long pectoral fins with angular tips, and the presence of a small lower tail lobe. In all other sawfish species the leading edge of their dorsal fin is placed at, or behind, the leading edge of the pelvic fins, and all other *Pristis* sawfish species have shorter pectoral fins with less pointed tips and lack a distinct lower tail lobe (very small or none). The rostrum ("saw") of the largetooth sawfish has a width that is 15–25% of its length, which is relatively wide compared to the other sawfish species, and there are 14–24 equally separated teeth on each side of it. On average, females have shorter rostrums with fewer teeth than males. The proportional rostrum length also varies with age, with average being around 27% of the total length of the fish, but can be as high as 30% in juveniles and as low as 20–22% in adults.

Its upperparts are generally grey to yellowish-brown, often with a clear yellow tinge to the fins. Individuals in freshwater may have a reddish colour caused by blood suffusion below the skin. The underside is greyish or white.

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Apis cerana nuluensis

**This article is about a Subspecies in the genus Apis.**

***Apis cerana nuluensis*** is a subspecies of honey bee described in 1996 by Tingek, Koeniger & Koeniger. The geographic distribution of the subspecies is the south-east Asian island of Borneo, politically divided between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

*A. c. nuluensis* is one of a number of Asiatic honey bees, including the more obscure *Apis koschevnikovi* and *Apis nigrocincta* (the latter of which has nearby habitat on nearby Sulawesi and Mindanao islands)

While this was originally described as a species, it has since been classified as a geographic race (subspecies) of the widespread *A. cerana* (Engel, 1999). Molecular evidence suggests it is divergent enough in its DNA sequences to potentially represent a biological species (Arias & Sheppard, 2005), but there has been no formal reassignment to date, and no hybridization studies have been performed to confirm this hypothesis.

Like many honey bees, *A. c. nuluensis* is liable to infestation by the parasitic *Varroa* mite, although in this case the particular species is *Varroa underwoodi*. (In this aspect, *A. c. nuluensis* is similar to *A. nigrocincta*)

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Canidae (Canids)

The biological family **Canidae** /ˈkænɪdiː/  (from Latin, canis, “dog”) is a lineage of carnivorans that includes domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, dingoes, and many other extant and extinct dog-like mammals. A member of this family is called a **canid** (/ˈkænɪd/, /ˈkeɪnɪd/).

The cat-like feliforms and dog-like caniforms emerged within the Carnivoramorpha 43 million years before present. The caniforms included the fox-like genus *Leptocyon* whose various species existed from 34 million years before present before branching 11.9 million YBP into Vulpini (foxes) and Canini (canines).

Canids are found on all continents except Antarctica, having arrived independently or accompanied human beings over extended periods of time. Canids vary in size from the 2-m-long (6 ft 7 in) gray wolf to the 24-cm-long (9.4 in) fennec fox. The body forms of canids are similar, typically having long muzzles, upright ears, teeth adapted for cracking bones and slicing flesh, long legs, and bushy tails. They are mostly social animals, living together in family units or small groups and behaving cooperatively. Typically, only the dominant pair in a group breeds, and a litter of young is reared annually in an underground den. Canids communicate by scent signals and by vocalizations. They are very intelligent. One canid, the domestic dog, long ago entered into a partnership with humans and today remains one of the most widely kept domestic animals.

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## Genus and Species

* Canis
	+ C. aureas (Golden Jackal)
	+ C. lupus (Gray Wolf)
* Chrysocyon
	+ C. brachyurus (Maned Wolf)
* Lycaon
	+ L. pictus (African Wild Dog)
Smooth Hammerhead

The **smooth hammerhead** (*Sphyrna zygaena*) is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. This species is named "smooth hammerhead" because of the distinctive shape of the head, which is flattened and laterally extended into a hammer shape (called the "cephalofoil"), without an indentation in the middle of the front margin (hence "smooth"). Unlike other hammerheads, this species prefers temperate waters and occurs worldwide at medium latitudes. In the summer, these sharks migrate towards the poles following cool water masses, sometimes forming schools numbering in the hundreds to thousands.

The second-largest hammerhead shark after the great hammerhead shark, the smooth hammerhead can measure up to 5 m (16 ft) long. It is an active predator that takes a wide variety of bony fishes and invertebrates, with larger individuals also feeding on sharks and rays. As in the rest of its family, this shark is viviparous and gives birth to litters of 20–40 pups. A relatively common shark, it is captured, intentionally or otherwise, by many commercial fisheries throughout its range; its fins are extremely valuable for use in shark fin soup. This shark is potentially dangerous and has likely been responsible for a few attacks on humans, though it is less likely to encounter swimmers than other large hammerhead species due to its temperate habitat.

## Description

The second-largest hammerhead next to the great hammerhead, the smooth hammerhead typically measures 2.5–3.5 m (8.2–11.5 ft) long, with a maximum recorded length and weight of 5 m (16 ft) and 400 kg (880 lb) respectively. The smooth hammerhead differs from other large hammerheads in the shape of its cephalofoil, which has a curved front margin without an indentation in the center. The cephalofoil is wide but short, measuring 26–29% of the body length across. The nostrils are located near the ends of the cephalofoil, with long grooves running towards the center. There are 26–32 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 25–30 tooth rows in the lower jaw. Each tooth is triangular in shape, with smooth to weakly serrated edges.

The body is streamlined, without a dorsal ridge between the two dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is moderately tall and falcate (sickle-like) in shape, with a rounded tip. The pectoral and pelvic fins are not falcate, rather having nearly straight rear margins. The anal fin is larger than the second dorsal fin, with long free rear tip and a strong notch in the rear margin. The dermal denticles are densely packed, each with 5–7 horizontal ridges (3 in juveniles) leading to a W-shaped rear margin. The back is dark brownish gray to olive in color, in contrast to the simple brown of most other hammerheads, becoming lighter on the flanks. The belly is white, and sometimes the pectoral fins have dark edges underneath.

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Aedes alboscutellatus

***Aedes (Aedimorphus) alboscutellatus*** is a species of zoophilic mosquito belonging to the genus *Aedes*. It is a member in *Aedes niveus* subgroup. It is found in Sri Lanka, Korea. It is one of the most common indoor human biting mosquitoes in the world with peak biting 20:00-22:00 and 04:00-06:00 hours. It is known to transmit disease-causing pathogens like Ross River virus and Barmah virus.

## Description

*A. alboscutellatus* is a medium-sized black mosquito. Scutum with white scales and narrow scales are dark bronze in color. All femurs have characteristic sub-apical band. Proboscis mottled. Wings dark scaled. Adults are closely associated with exposed or partially sun lit forests and temporarily water filled pools in rainy seasons. Larva can be found from shallow pools of natural and man-made structures, both indoor and outdoor.

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Aedes hensilli

***Aedes hensilli*** is a mosquito species originally collected in 1945 on Ulithi atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, about 191 km (103 nautical mi) east of Yap State. It is the most abundant and widespread *Aedes (Stegomyia)* species mosquito in Yap State, the only *Aedes (Stegomyia)* species on Woleai, and the only species of mosquito present on Eauripik.

The specific epithet recognizes the collector of the type specimens, Dr. George S. Hensill.

## Description

Larvae of *A. hensilli* develop in empty coconut shells, tree holes, and bamboo, and in artificial containers such as tin cans, discarded drums, barrels, bottles, tires, tarps, and floats; larvae were not found in leaf axils of pandanus trees or in taro plants. Water barrels used to collect rainwater are major contributors to mosquito production due to the high number of larvae and pupae hosted in them.

The adults are active primarily at dusk.

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Cephalopoda (Cephalopods)

A **cephalopod** (/ˈsɛfələpɒd, ˈkɛf-/) is any member of the molluscan class **Cephalopoda** (Greek plural κεφαλόποδα, *kephalópoda*; "head-feet") such as a squid, octopusor nautilus. These exclusively marine animals are characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles (muscular hydrostats) modified from the primitive molluscan foot. Fishermen sometimes call them **inkfish**, referring to their common ability to squirt ink. The study of cephalopods is a branch of malacology known as teuthology.

Cephalopods became dominant during the Ordovician period, represented by primitive nautiloids. The class now contains two, only distantly related, extant subclasses: Coleoidea, which includes octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish; and Nautiloidea, represented by *Nautilus* and *Allonautilus*. In the Coleoidea, the molluscan shell has been internalized or is absent, whereas in the Nautiloidea, the external shell remains. About 800 living species of cephalopods have been identified. Two important extinct taxaare the Ammonoidea (ammonites) and Belemnoidea (belemnites).

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## Orders

* Octopoda
* Oegopsida
Gymnotidae (Naked-back Knifefish)

The **naked-back knifefishes** are a family (**Gymnotidae**) of knifefishes found only in fresh waters of Central America and South America. All have organs adapted to the exploitation of bioelectricity. The family has 40 valid species in two genera. These fish are nocturnal and mostly occur in quiet waters from deep rivers to swamps. In strongly flowing waters, they may bury themselves.

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## Genus and Species

* Electrophorus
	+ E. electricus (Electric Eel)
Autumn Chigger

***Trombicula autumnalis***, known as the **harvest mite** or **autumn chigger**, is a species of mite of the family Trombiculidae. Their larvae live parasitically; they infect all domestic mammals, humans, and some ground-nesting birds.

## Description

The larvae are normally orange or red in color with six legs, but develop eight legs by nymph stage. The larvae are up to 0.2 millimetres (0.008 in) in size. The adult mites are about 1 mm (0.04 in) long.

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Formicidae (Ants)

**Ants** are eusocial insects of the family **Formicidae** and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the Cretaceous period, about 140 million years ago, and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than 12,500 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their elbowed antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.

Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories and consist of millions of individuals. Larger colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called "drones" (aner) and one or more fertile females called "queens" (gynes). The colonies are described as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony.

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in most ecosystems and may form 15–25% of the terrestrial animal biomass. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic, and mutualistic relationships.

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rituals. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some species, such as the red imported fire ant (*Solenopsis invicta*), are regarded as invasive species, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.

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## Genus and Species

* Dorylus
	+ D. gribodoi
* Myrmecia
	+ M. pilosula (Jack Jumper Ant)
* Paraponera
	+ P. clavata (Bullet Ant)
* Pogonomyrmex
	+ P. maricopa (Maricopa Harvester Ant)
* Solenopsis
	+ S. invicta (Red Imported Fire Ant)
Aedes australis

***Aedes australis*** is a brackish water mosquito species from the genus Aedes subgenus Halaedes. This was first confronted in New Zealand in 1961.

## Description

The species breeds in littoral rock and brackish pools just above the tide line and remains close to their breeding habitats.

The eggs of this species are rhomboidal in both ventral and dorsal view.

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Cestoda

**Cestoda** (formerly **Cestoidea**) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm (Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called **tapeworms**. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Humans are subject to infection by several species of tapeworms if they eat undercooked meat such as pork (*Taenia solium*), beef (*T. saginata*), and fish (*Diphyllobothrium* spp.), or if they live in, or eat food prepared in, conditions of poor hygiene (*Hymenolepis* or *Echinococcus* species).

*T. saginata*, the beef tapeworm, can grow up to 20 m (65 ft); the largest species, the whale tapeworm *Polygonoporus giganticus*, can grow to over 30 m (100 ft). Species using small vertebrates as hosts, though, tend to be small. For example, vole and lemming tapeworms are only 13–240 mm (0.51–9.45 in) in length, and those parasitizing shrews only 0.8–60 mm (0.031–2.362 in).

Tapeworm parasites of vertebrates have a long history: recognizable clusters of cestode eggs, one with a developing larva, have been discovered in fossil feces (coprolites) of a shark dating to the mid- to late Permian, some 270 million years ago.

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Dendrobatidae (Poison Dart Frogs)

**Poison dart frog** (also known as **dart-poison frog**, **poison frog** or formerly known as **poison arrow frog**) is the common name of a group of frogs in the family**Dendrobatidae** which are native to tropical Central and South America. These species are diurnal and often have brightly colored bodies. This bright coloration is correlated with the toxicity of the species, making them aposematic. Some species of the family Dendrobatidae exhibit extremely bright coloration along with high toxicity, while others have cryptic coloration with minimal to no amount of observed toxicity. The species that have great toxicity derive this from their diet of ants, mites and termites. Other species however, that exhibit cryptic coloration and low to no amounts of toxicity, eat a much larger variety of prey. Many species of this family are threatened due to human infrastructure encroaching the places they inhabit.

These amphibians are often called "dart frogs" due to the Amerindians' indigenous use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts. However, of over 170 species, only four have been documented as being used for this purpose (curare plants are more commonly used), all of which come from the genus *Phyllobates*, which is characterized by the relatively large size and high levels of toxicity of its members.

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## Genus and Species

* Epipedobates
	+ E. tricolor (Phantasmal Poison Frog)
* Phyllobates
	+ P. aurotaenia
	+ P. bicolor (Black-legged Poison Frog)
	+ P. terribilis (Golden Poison Frog)
* Ranitomeya
	+ R. variabilis (Splash-back Poison Frog)
Belostomatidae (Giant Water Bugs)

**Belostomatidae** is a family of freshwater hemipteran insects known as **giant water bugs** or colloquially as **toe-biters**, **Indian toe-biters**, **electric-light bugs**, **alligator ticks**, or **alligator fleas** (in Florida). They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera, and occur worldwide, with most of the species in North America, South America, Northern Australia, and East Asia. They are typically encountered in freshwater streams and ponds. Most species are at least 2 cm (0.8 in) long, although smaller species also exist. The largest are members of the genus *Lethocerus*, which can exceed 12 cm (4.5 in) and nearly reach the length of some of the largest beetles in the world. Giant water bugs are a popular food in parts of Asia.

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## Genus and Species

* Lethocerus (**22 species**)
	+ Lethocerus americanus
	+ Lethocerus angustipe
	+ Lethocerus annulipes
	+ Lethocerus bruchi
	+ Lethocerus camposi
	+ Lethocerus collosicus
	+ Lethocerus cordofanus
	+ Lethocerus delpontei
	+ Lethocerus dilatus
	+ Lethocerus distinctifemur
	+ Lethocerus grandis
	+ Lethocerus indicus
	+ Lethocerus insulanus (Giant Water Bug)
	+ Lethocerus jimenezasuai
	+ Lethocerus maximus
	+ Lethocerus mazzai
	+ Lethocerus medius
	+ Lethocerus melloleitaoi
	+ Lethocerus oculatus
	+ Lethocerus patruelis
	+ Lethocerus truxali
	+ Lethocerus uhleri
Common Vampire Bat

The **common vampire bat** (*Desmodus rotundus*) is a small, leaf-nosed bat native to the Americas. It is one of three extant species of vampire bat, the other two being the hairy-legged and the white-winged vampire bats. The common vampire bat mainly feeds on the blood of livestock, approaching its prey at night while they are sleeping. It uses its razor-sharp teeth to cut open the skin of its hosts and laps up their blood with its long tongue.

The species is highly polygynous, and dominant adult males defend groups of females. It is one of the most social of bat species with a number of cooperative behaviors such as social grooming and food sharing. Because it feeds on livestock and is a carrier of rabies, the common vampire bat is considered a pest. Its conservation status is categorized as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of "its wide distribution, presumed large population tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category."

## Description

The common vampire bat is short-haired, with silver-gray fur on its undersides, demarcated from the darker fur on its back. It has a deeply grooved lower lip, and a flat, leaf-shaped nose. A well-developed, clawed thumb on each wing is used to climb onto prey and to assist the animal in take-off. The bat averages about 9 cm (3.5 in) long with a wingspan of 18 cm (7 in). It commonly weighs about 25-40  grams (2 oz), but its weight can drastically increase after a single feeding. The braincase is relatively large, but the snout is reduced to accommodate large incisors and canines. It has the fewest teeth among bats. The upper incisors lack enamel, which keeps them razor-sharp. Its dental formula is 1.1.2.01.1.3.0, for a total of 18 teeth.

While most other bats have almost completely lost the ability to maneuver on land, vampire bats are an exception. They can run using a unique, bounding gait in which the forelimbs are used instead of the hindlimbs to propel forward, as the wings are much more powerful than the legs. This ability likely evolved independently within the bat lineage. Three pads under the thumb function like a sole. It is also capable of leaping in various directions, magnitudes and temporal sequences. When making a jump, the bat pushes up with its pectoral limbs. The hindlimbs keep the body over the pectoral limbs which are stabilized by the thumbs.

Common vampire bats have good eyesight. They are able to distinguish different optical patterns and may use vision for long-range orientation. These bats also have well-developed senses of smell and hearing: the cochlea is highly sensitive to low-frequency acoustics, and the nasal passages are relatively large. They emit echolocation signals orally, and thus fly with their mouths open for navigation. They can identify a metal strip 1 centimetre (0.39 in) wide at a distance of 50 centimetres (20 in), which is moderate compared to other bats.

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Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)

The **even-toed ungulates** (**Artiodactyla**, from Ancient Greek ἄρτιος *(ártios)*, meaning 'even', and δάκτυλος *(dáktylos)*, meaning 'finger/toe') are ungulates(hoofed animals) whose weight is borne equally by the third and fourth toes. By contrast, odd-toed ungulates, such as horses, bear their weight primarily on their third toes. The aquatic cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) evolved from even-toed ungulates, so modern taxonomic classification sometimes combines the Artiodactyla and Cetacea into the Cetartiodactyla.

Excluding whales, the roughly 220 artiodactyl species include pigs, peccaries, hippopotamuses, cetaceans, camels, llamas, alpacas, mouse deer, deer, giraffes, antelopes, sheep, goats, and cattle, many of which are of great dietary, economic, and cultural importance to humans.

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## Families

* Balaenidae
* Bovidae
* Delphinidae
* Giraffidae
* Hippopotamidae
* Physeteridae
* Suidae
Apis koschevnikovi

***Apis koschevnikovi***, **Koschevnikov's bee**, is a species of honey bee which inhabits Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo, where it lives sympatrically with other honey bee species such as *Apis cerana* (specifically *A. c. nuluensis*).

The species was first described by Hugo Berthold von Buttel-Reepen, who dedicated it to Grigory Aleksandrovich Kozhevnikov (1866–1933), a pioneer of honey bee morphology. This was an invalid designation, however, and the name was first formally made available by Günther Enderlein that same year. Therefore, Buttel-Reepen is not the author of the name (following the ICZN). The species was described again by Maa in 1953, this time with the name ***Apis vechti***. It was finally rediscovered by Tingek and his colleagues in 1988.

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Chordata (Chordates)

A **chordate** is an animal belonging to the phylum **Chordata**; chordates possess a notochord, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail, for at least some period of their life cycle. Chordates are deuterostomes, as during the embryo development stage the anus forms before the mouth. They are also bilaterally symmetric coelomates with metameric segmentation and a circulatory system. In the case of vertebrate chordates, the notochord is usually replaced by a vertebral column during development.

Taxonomically, the phylum includes the following subphyla: the Vertebrata, which includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals; the Tunicata, which includes salps and sea squirts; and the Cephalochordata, which include the lancelets. There are also additional extinct taxa such as the Vetulicolia. The Vertebrata are sometimes considered as a subgroup of the clade Craniata, consisting of chordates with a skull; the Craniata and Tunicata compose the clade Olfactores.

Of the more than 65,000 living species of chordates, about half are bony fish of the superclass Osteichthyes. The world's largest and fastest animals, the blue whale and peregrine falcon respectively, are chordates, as are humans. Fossil chordates are known from at least as early as the Cambrian explosion.

Hemichordata, which includes the acorn worms, has been presented as a fourth chordate subphylum, but it now is usually treated as a separate phylum. The Hemichordata, along with the Echinodermata (which includes starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and crinoids), form the Ambulacraria, the sister taxon of the Chordates. The Chordata and Ambulacraria form the superphylum Deuterostomia, composed of the deuterostomes.

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## Classes

* Actinopterygii
* Amphibia
* Aves
* Chondrichthyes
* Hyperoartia
* Mammalia
* Reptilia
Australian Paralysis Tick

***Ixodes holocyclus***, commonly known as the **Australian paralysis tick**, is one of about 75 species of Australian tick fauna and is considered the most medically important. It can cause paralysis by injecting neurotoxins into its host. It is usually found in a 20-kilometre wide band following the eastern coastline of Australia. Within this range *Ixodes holocyclus* is the tick most frequently encountered by humans and their pets. As this area also contains the majority of Australia's most densely populated regions, incidents of bites on people, pets and livestock are relatively common.

Paralysis ticks are found in many types of habitat particularly areas of high rainfall such as wet sclerophyll forest and temperate rainforest. The natural hosts for the paralysis tick include koalas, bandicoots, possums and kangaroos.

## Description

The life cycle of *Ixodes holocyclus* consists of four stages- egg, larva, nymph, adult. Ticks hatch as six-legged larvae after an incubation period of 40 to 60 days. Larvae search for a blood meal from a host, feed for four to six days, then drop from the host and moult to become an eight-legged nymph. Nymphs require a second blood meal before they can moult again to become an adult. Female adults then require a further blood meal of up to ten days before dropping off to lay up to 3000 eggs in leaf litter. Male adults will search for females on the host for mating, and to parasitise the females for blood meals. This life cycle takes around a year to complete (average 365 days, minimum 135 days, maximum 437 days).

Larvae have 3 pairs of legs and the nymphs and adults 4 pairs. *Ixodes holocyclus* requires three hosts to complete its life cycle, thus it is a 'three-host tick'. To moult to the next stage a blood meal must be obtained by the larva or nymph. Moulting is known as *ecdysis*.

To find a host, ticks use a behaviour known as 'questing' - climbing onto vegetation and waving forelegs slowly until a host comes within reach. When on the host, they may not attack immediately, but wander for up to two hours until attaching on the back of the host's head or behind an ear. Certain chemicals such as carbon dioxide (hence the use of 'dry ice' baits) as well as heat and movement serve as stimuli for questing behaviour.

Both female and male ticks quest for a host, but for different reasons. The female quests for a blood meal, the male to search the host for a female tick in order to mate and feed from her. Males may parasitise the female ticks by piercing their cuticle with their mouth parts to feed on the haemolymph (up to 3-4 males have been found feeding on one female tick). Adult male ticks rarely blood-feed on a host. The outside surface, or cuticle, of hard ticks actually grows to accommodate the large volume of blood ingested, which, in adult ticks, may be anywhere from 200 to 600 times their unfed body weight. When a tick is fully engorged it is said to be *replete*.

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Cyriopagopus schmidti

***Cyriopagopus schmidti*** is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in China and Vietnam. It is one of a number of species known as "Chinese bird spider" and "Chinese earth tiger". *Haplopelma huwenum* was synonymized with this species in 2008. Spiders under this name and its synonyms have been shown to produce toxins called huwentoxins.

## Description

*Cyriopagopus schmidti* resembles *C. hainanus*, but can be distinguished by its dark yellow-brown body and the shorter length of the "thorns" on the forward-facing (prolateral) sides of the maxillae. The carapace (upper surface of the cephalothorax) is dark yellow-brown; the abdomen is similarly coloured, with black stripes running across it and a black stripe down the centre of the upper surface.

The female has been described as one of the largest Asian spiders, and is said to be able to live up to 30 years. It is between 53 and 85 mm long (body plus chelicerae). The first leg is longest, at about 69 mm; the third is the shortest, at about 54 mm. The spermatheca is M-shaped. The male is smaller, between 37 and 44 mm long (body plus chelicerae). The first leg is again the longest, at about 68 mm, with the third being the shortest, at about 52 mm. Thus, although the body is significantly smaller than that of the female, the male's legs are of a similar length. The tibiae of the first pair of legs have a spur on the forward-facing sides. The palpal bulb is pear-shaped, with a wide, curved embolus.

*C. schmidti* makes underground burrows, lined with silk, and often with silk alarm lines radiating from the mouth. The spider remains in its burrow during the day, emerging only at night to catch prey, mainly large insects.

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Chromodorididae (Chromodorids)

The **Chromodorididae**, or chromodorids, are a taxonomic family of colorful, sea slugs; dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Doridoidea. “Chromodorid nudibranchs are among the most gorgeously colored of all animals.” The over 360 described species are primarily found in tropical and subtropical waters, as members of coral reef communities, specifically associated with their sponge prey. The chromodorids are the most speciose family of opisthobranchs. They range in size from <1mm to over 30 cm, although most species are approximately 2–3 cm in size.

Although, they have a worldwide distribution, most species are found in the Indo-Pacific region. A scientific paper published in 2007, found the most widespread chromodorid genera, (*Mexichromis*, *Chromodoris*, *Glossodoris* and *Hypselodoris*) to be paraphyletic or polyphyletic.

The family Cadlinidae Bergh, 1891 has been considered a synonym of the Chromodorididae." Research by R.F. Johnson in 2011 has shown that *Cadlina* does not belong to the family Chromodorididae. She has therefore brought back the name Cadlinidae from synonymy with *Chromodorididae*. The chromodorid nudibranchs without *Cadlina* are now monophyletic and turn out to be a possible sister to the family Actinocyclidae. *Cadlina* and *Aldisa* are the only two genera currently classified in the Cadlinidae.

A comprehensive phylogeny of the chromodorid nudibranchs found every one of the 14 traditional chromodorid genera were either non-monophyletic, or rendered another genus paraphyletic. Additionally, both the monotypic genera *Verconia* and *Diversidoris* are nested within clades. The authors presented a new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs, which used molecular data to untangle evolutionary relationships and at the same time retains a historical connection to traditional systematics by using generic names attached to type species as clade names. All Chromodorid nudibranchs feed on sponges.

## Genus and Species

* Chromodoris
	+ C. willani
Bombus alpinus

***Bombus alpinus*** is a species of bumblebee. It is native to Europe and Eurasia, where it occurs in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Romania, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

This bee occurs in tundra habitat and in alpine climates on mountains. It can be found in mountain meadows, heaths, and willow woodlands. It collects pollen from mountain plants such as willows, bog blueberry, bird's-foot trefoil, and louseworts.

Some populations are threatened by habitat degradation caused by climate change.

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Black and Gold Bumblebee

***Bombus auricomus*** is a species of bumblebee known by the common name **black and gold bumblebee**. It is native to eastern North America, including Ontario and Saskatchewan in Canada and much of the eastern United States, as far west as the Great Plains.

This species creates above-ground nests in grassland and other open habitat types. It feeds at many types of plants, including thistles, prairie clovers, delphiniums, teasels, echinacea, bergamot, penstemons, clovers, and vetches.

This bee was previously thought to be conspecific with the Nevada bumblebee (*B. nevadensis*), but the two are now considered separate species.

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Chilopoda (Centipedes)

**Centipedes** (from Latin prefix *centi-*, "hundred", and *pes, pedis*, *"foot"*) are arthropods belonging to the class **Chilopoda** of the subphylum Myriapoda, an arthropod group which also includes Millipedes and other multi-legged creatures. Centipedes are elongated metameric creatures with one pair of legs per body segment. Centipedes are known to be highly venomous, and often inject paralyzing venom. Despite the name, centipedes can have a varying number of legs, ranging from 30 to 354. Centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. Therefore, no centipede has exactly 100 legs. A key trait uniting this group is a pair of venom claws or forcipules formed from a modified first appendage. Centipedes are predominantly carnivorous.

Their size can range from a few millimetres in the smaller lithobiomorphs and geophilomorphs to about 30 cm (12 in) in the largest scolopendromorphs. Centipedes can be found in a wide variety of environments. They normally have a drab coloration combining shades of brown and red. Cavernicolous (cave-dwelling) and subterranean species may lack pigmentation, and many tropical scolopendromorphs have bright aposematic colours.

Worldwide, an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes are thought to exist, of which 3,000 have been described. Centipedes have a wide geographical range, where they even reach beyond the Arctic Circle. They are found in an array of terrestrial habitats from tropical rainforests to deserts. Within these habitats, centipedes require a moist microhabitat because they lack the waxy cuticle of insects and arachnids, therefore causing them to rapidly lose water. Accordingly, they are found in soil and leaf litter, under stones and dead wood, and inside logs. Centipedes are among the largest terrestrial invertebrate predators, and often contribute significantly to the invertebrate predatory biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Only one species, *Scolopendra cataracta*, is known to be amphibious and is believed to hunt aquatic or amphibious invertebrates.

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Common Buzzard

The **common buzzard** (*Buteo buteo*) is a medium-to-large bird of prey whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. Over much of its range, it is resident year-round, but birds from the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere typically migrate south (some well into the Southern Hemisphere) for the northern winter.

## Description

The common buzzard measures between 40 and 58 cm (16 and 23 in) in length with a 109–140 cm (43–55 in) wingspan and a body mass of 427–1,364 g (0.941–3.007 lb), making it a medium-sized raptor.

This broad-winged raptor has a wide variety of plumages, and in Europe can be confused with the similar rough-legged buzzard (*Buteo lagopus*) and the distantly related European honey buzzard (*Pernis apivorus*), which mimics the common buzzard's plumage for a degree of protection from northern goshawks.The plumage can vary in Britain from almost pure white to black, but is usually shades of brown, with a pale 'necklace' of feathers.

Of the two eastern subspecies, *B. b. vulpinus* breeds from east Europe eastward to the Far East (including Eastern China and South Asia), excluding Japan, while *B. b. menetriesi* breeds in the Southern Crimea and Caucasus to northern Iran. *B. b. vulpinus* is a long-distance migrant, excepting some north Himalayan birds, and winters in Africa, India and southeastern Asia. In the open country favoured on the wintering grounds, steppe buzzards are often seen perched on roadside telephone poles.

The steppe buzzard is some times split off as a separate species, *B. vulpinus*. Compared to the nominate form, it is slightly smaller (45–50 cm (18–20 in) long), longer winged and longer tailed. The two colour morphs are the rufous form which gives this subspecies its scientific name (*vulpes* is Latin for "fox") and a dark grey form.

The tail of *B. vulpinus* is paler than the nominate form, and often quite rufous, recalling North American red-tailed hawk. The upper wings have pale primary patches, and the primary flight feathers are also paler when viewed from below. Adults have a black trailing edge to the wings, and both morphs often have plain underparts, lacking the breast band frequently seen in *B. b. buteo*.

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Carcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)

**Requiem sharks** are sharks of the family **Carcharhinidae** in the order Carcharhiniformes, containing migratory, live-bearing sharks of warm seas (sometimes of brackish or fresh water) such as the spinner shark, the blacknose shark, the blacktip shark, the grey reef shark, and the blacktip reef shark.

The name may be related to the French word for shark, *requin*, which is itself of disputed etymology. One derivation of the latter is from Latin *requiem* ("rest"), which would thereby create a cyclic etymology (*requiem-requin-requiem*), but other sources derive it from the verb *reschignier* ("to grimace while baring teeth").

Family members have the usual carcharhiniform characteristics. Their eyes are round, and one or two gill slits fall over the pectoral fin base. Most species are viviparous, the young being born fully developed. They vary widely in size, from as small as 69 cm (2.26 ft) adult length in the Australian sharpnose shark, up to 5.5 m (18 ft) adult length in the tiger shark.

Requiem sharks are responsible for a large proportion of attacks on humans; however, due to the difficulty in identifying individual species, a degree of inaccuracy exists in attack records.

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## Genus and Species

* Carcharhinus
	+ C. leucas (Bull Shark)
	+ C. longimanus (Oceanic Whitetip Shark)
* Galeocerdo
	+ G. cuvier (Tiger Shark)
* Negaprion
	+ N. brevirostris (Lemon Shark)
* Prionace
	+ P. glauca (Blue Shark)
American Lobster

The **American lobster**, ***Homarus americanus***, is a species of lobster found on the Atlantic coast of North America, chiefly from Labrador to New Jersey. It is also known as **Atlantic lobster**, **Canadian lobster**, **true lobster**, **northern lobster**, **Canadian Reds**, or **Maine lobster**. It can reach a body length of 64 cm (25 in), and a mass of over 20 kilograms (44 lb), making it not only the heaviest crustacean in the world, but also the heaviest of all living arthropod species. Its closest relative is the European lobster *Homarus gammarus*, which can be distinguished by its coloration and the lack of spines on the underside of the rostrum. American lobsters are usually bluish green to brown with red spines, but several color variations have been observed.

## Description

*Homarus americanus* commonly reaches 8–24 inches (200–610 mm) long and weighs 1–9 pounds (0.45–4.08 kg) in weight, but has been known to weigh as much as 44 lb (20 kg), making this the heaviest crustacean in the world. Together with *Sagmariasus verreauxi*, it is also the longest decapod crustacean in the world; an average adult is about 9 in (230 mm) long and weighs 1.5 to 2 lb (680 to 910 g). The longest American lobsters have a body (excluding claws) 64 cm (25 in) long. According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest crustacean ever recorded was an American lobster caught off Nova Scotia, Canada, weighing 44.4 lb (20.1 kg).

The closest relative of *H. americanus* is the European lobster, *Homarus gammarus*. The two species are very similar, and can be crossed artificially, although hybrids are unlikely to occur in the wild since their ranges do not overlap.

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Aedes vittatus

***Aedes vittatus*** was first described in 1861 as *Culex vittatus* from specimens collected on Corsica. In 2000, the species was transferred to the newly erected subgenus *Fredwardsius* as the type (and only) species representing the subgenus.

## Description

The species is found in Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Djibouti, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan and South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The immature stages develop in log holes, hoofprints, boats, wells, tree trunks, tree holes, bamboo cups and pots, occasional utensils, rock pools, rock holes, in pools in rock outcrops or river beds, and coral, and occasionally at the peak of the breeding season, in open concrete floodwater drains. Immature stages have been found in association with *Aedes albopictus*, *Aedes malayensis*, and *Culex* species.

In northern Nigeria no adults were caught in traps baited with goats, sheep, monkeys and pig; porcupine was the most important host in the area.

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Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)

**Carcharhiniformes**, the **ground sharks**, are the largest order of sharks. With over 270 species, Carcharhiniformes include a number of common types, such as catsharks, swellsharks, and the sandbar shark.

Members of this order are characterized by the presence of a nictitating membrane over the eye, two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five gill slits.

The families in the order Carcharhiniformes are expected to be revised; recent DNA studies show that some of the conventional groups are not monophyletic.

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## Families

* Carcharhinidae
* Sphyrnidae
Oegopsida

**Oegopsida** is one of the two orders of squid in the superorder Decapodiformes, in the Cephalopoda class. It was formerly considered to be a suborder order of the Teuthida, in which case it is known as **Oegopsina**, together with the Myopsina. This reclassification is due to Oegopsina and Myopsina not being demonstrated to form a clade.

The Oegopsida are an often pelagic squid, with some nerito-oceanic species associated with sea mounts. (from http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i1920e/i1920e04.pdf) They consist of 24 families and 69 genera. They have these characters in common: the head is without tentacle pockets, eyes lack a corneal covering, arms and tentacle clubs may have hooks, the buccal supports are without suckers, and oviducts in females are paired.

Two families, the Bathyteuthidae and Chtenopterygidae, which have features characteristic of the Myopsida while retaining others common to the Oegopsina, are sometimes placed in the Bathyteuthoidea.

The Oegopsida differ from the coastal Myopsida, characterised by the genus *Loligo*, which have corneal coverings over the eyes and tentacle pockets, but lack hooks, have no suckers on the buccal supports, and a single oviduct.

Oegopsid squid are the only decapods that lack a pocket for the tentacles. Otherwise, they share different characters with different decapod groups. Like the Bathyteuthoidea and Myopsida, the Oegopsida have a brachial canal, which is absent in other forms. As with the Spirulidae and Idiosepiidae, the Oegposida lack suckers on the buccal supports, and like the Bathyteuthoidea, Idiosepiidae, and Spirulidae, they have no circular muscle on the suckers.

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## Families

* Architeuthidae
* Cranchiidae
* Ommastrephidae
Belonidae (Needlefish)

**Needlefish** (family **Belonidae**) or **long toms** are piscivorous fishes primarily associated with very shallow marine habitats or the surface of the open sea. Some genera include species found in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments (e.g., *Strongylura*), while a few genera are confined to freshwater rivers and streams, including *Belonion*, *Potamorrhaphis*, and *Xenentodon*. Needlefish closely resemble North American freshwater gars (family Lepisosteidae) in being elongated and having long, narrow jaws filled with sharp teeth, and some species of needlefishes are referred to as gars or garfish despite being only distantly related to the true gars. In fact, the name "garfish" was originally used for the needlefish *Belone belone* in Europe and only later applied to the North American fishes by European settlers during the 18th century.

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## Genus and Species

* Belone
	+ B. belone (Garfish)