Meet 10 Rare Organisms

                                 Meet 10 Rare Organisms 

A rare species is such species that is very uncommon, scarce in number, and frequently encountered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uses this term to relate to such species which are seen in isolated geographical locations.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature - School on Blog 

Lesson: Can you identify these organisms?   Where can you find them? Describe their life history, habitat and interrelationship with humans and other organisms. What are their peculiar characteristics? Include other organisms under this category and include them in your lesson in biology. 
 

Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum ("quill pig") ensconced in the hollow of a log.

Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predation. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of the family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of the family Erethizontidae.  

Specimen found in Malabon Zoo, Rizal

Albino carabao - Bubalus bubalis carabanesis

Carabaos are a genetically distinct population of swamp-type water buffaloes from the Philippines. They descended from domesticated swamp buffalo populations from Taiwan that were introduced to the Philippines in the Neolithic via the Austronesian expansion. Carabao are generally light grey to slate-grey.  Similar white carabaos may be encountered in the field, but are seldom used as working animals because of their  sensitivity to extreme heat and rigors due to their lack of melanin pigment.  This is the same case with albino or white elephants.  Albino animals are revered by indigenous societies and are favored as pets. 

Blue Starfish - Linckia laevigata (sometimes called the "blue Linckia" 

or blue star)

An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and is typically found in sparse density throughout its range. Blue stars live in subtidal, or sometimes intertidal zone, on fine (sand) or hard substrata and move relatively slow at a mean locomotion rate of 8.1 cm per minute.  Specimen found at Calatagan, Batangas seashore.

Giant earthworm - Lumbricus terrestris

Lumbricus terrestris is a large, reddish worm species thought to be native to Western Europe, now widely distributed around the world.  It eats mainly dead leaves on the soil floor and top-horizon mineral soil. Specimen found on the grounds of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

Chinese softshell turtle - Pelodiscus sinensis

The Softshell turtle is listed under threatened Philippine fauna, and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a species of softshell turtle that is native to mainland China and Taiwan. Specimens found at the lake of the Parks and Wildlife Center, QC.

Globular or Balloon Frog (Tukak Bat'og Ilk which means fat bellied)

Uperodon systoma is a small genus of microhylid frogs from South Asia. Their sister taxon is Ramanella of Class Amphibia, Order Anura. The common name of these frogs is globular frogs or balloon frogs in reference to their stout appearance. These medium-sized (maximum snout–vent length 64–76 mm (2.5–3 in) burrowing frogs eat ants and termites. This species is widespread in South Asia, Little is known about the population status of this species. This is a completely fossorial species that buries itself in loose, moist soil.  Specimen found at author's
city residence, Lagro Subd., QC

Looper or geometrid caterpillar

Looper or geometrid caterpillar moves by loop-and-stretch, and stands like a cobra on reaching a dead end. When threatened, it feigns dead and mimics its surroundings. Geometrids belong to Order Lepidoptera, Family Geometridae. (from Greek geo 'the earth' and metron 'measure' — refers to the larvae, or inchworms, which appear to "measure the earth" as they move in a looping fashion.  Specimen found at author's city residence, Lagro Subd., QC

Pagoda Bagworm (Cryotothelea heckmeyeri). 

It is the larva of a moth belonging to Order Lepidoptera, Family Psychidae. The caterpillar remains ensconced in its bag in its entire larval stage which takes five moultings before it becomes into a cocoon without leaving its bag. The male soon emerges as a winged moth, then into adult. The male moth leaves the bag to find a mate, while the female moth is wingless and has to remain in the bag, receives a mate, deposits her fertilized eggs inside, then falls off to the ground or waiting prey. The bag grows by accretion, that is, the larva adds pieces of leaves on to the bag. Specimen found at Araneta University, now De la Salle University Malabon, Rizal

 

Another species of bagworm (Crypthothela fuscescens), builds its bag with dried twig of the uniform sizes. The spent bag simply remains hanging in the plant. Lower photo shows an exposed larvae purposely for study.  Specimen found on Angels Hill, Tagaytay Ridge, Batangas

 

Giant African snail (Achatina fulica) 

Giant African snail (Achatina fulica) is the biggest land snail in the Philippines, introduced by the Japanese during WWII, either as supplemental food or biological agent of warfare. This mollusk has developed into a pest of garden and orchard crops. Can you locate the pair of eyes? You may use a magnifying glass over these photos, or you may zoom in these photos on your computer. Specimen found at author's city residence, Lagro Subd., QC

References: Wikipedia

Living with Nature in Our Times, AVRotor UST
Living with Folk Wisdom, AV Rotor UST

*Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 KHz DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday