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The Zoological Society of London just announced a plan that would add the world’s 100 most evolutionarily distinct species to international endangered lists. Many of them are so strange that they’re often overlooked by more traditional approaches to conservation; these represent one-of-a-kind species that have few taxonomic relatives on earth. Jonathan Baille, the program’s lead scientist, said “They represent entire lineages. If you were to think about Edge species in terms of the art world, it would be like losing a Mona Lisa - they are totally irreplaceable and unique.” Some of these “Mona Lisas” include:
The slender loris, one of the world’s smallest (and weirdest-looking) primates, whose habitat in Western Thailand and Burma are threatened by deforestation.
The hirola, also known as the “four-eyed antelope” thanks to their huge preorbital glands. Prolonged droughts have disturbed their dwindling population, which live on the arid plains between Kenya and Somalia.
The bumblebee bat, also curiously known as Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat, the smallest mammal in the world at approximately 30mm in length and weighing less than a dime. Considered one of 12 most endangered species on the planet, the Thai government only found 160 of them living in caves despite extensive surveys in 1982.
The politely-named Golden-rumped elephant shrew (no relation to The Golden Ass of Greek lore), which is endemic to just one forest in Kenya, where is it hunted for food by locals. (The golden hindquarters, by the way, act as a distraction for potential predators; its booty is thick and protected, it’s head is not.)
I’m thrilled you posted on this. I was looking at these pics earlier today and trying to figure out how best to do a write-up… very glad you beat me to it!
posted by Mangesh on 1-16-2007 at 9:12 am
I only see four little guys in pics. Where are the rest of the twelve?
This is extremely interesting.
posted by Jean Florian on 1-24-2007 at 5:15 am
I must agree with Jean Florian, where are the rest?
posted by Justin W. Gilbert on 1-25-2007 at 1:10 pm
Awww- I just gotta have me one them there “slender loris’” It looks like the cutest little sinister aliens E-V-E-R! And but me down for one of those l’il batman’s too! Too cute-lol. Yeah, where ARE the rest of the pics, I’m still shoppin’!
Thanks for a great newsletter guys and I can’t wait for my subscription to start. Have a super day!
Respectfully,
Susie
posted by ViSusie on 1-25-2007 at 10:43 pm
I am sorry that this list does not include the Western (Australian) flossing bat.
Roughly the size of a laboratory mouse,it can not only fly great distances but also use the edges of its wings to dislodge fruit pulp from between its teeth.
posted by Dave Gibson on 1-26-2007 at 2:59 am
I KNOW THAT TECHNICALLY IT MIGHT BE ILLEGAL TO OWN A “SLENDER LORIS” OR THAT COOL TINY PRIMATE. HOWEVER, MAND MY DAUGHTERS, ESPECIALLY HERS, CURIOUSITY ASKS, CAN YOU OWN ONE OR PURCHASE ON, WOULD IT BE OK IN OUR ENVIRONMENT??
posted by JOHN BROWN on 2-2-2007 at 11:48 am
I’ll have to visit the website for the London Zoological Society to get more information.
Several of these animals seem to be bite-size. I wonder if they have any recipes, too.
In fact, with some lorises and a couple of bats fried up, it would be just like Chex party mix!!
posted by Insensitive Pete on 2-2-2007 at 1:58 pm
HEY INSENSITIVE PETE, I’LL BET THAT CHICK IN THE DATING SERVICE COMMERCIAL THAT LIKES CASHEWS, PEANUTS, OR ANYTHING IN A TRAIL MIX WOULD LIKE THAT!
posted by JOHN BROWN on 2-23-2007 at 10:42 am
Not to split hairs, but the Golden Ass was written by Apuleius in the second century. It was written in Latin by a Roman. Therefore, it is the Golden Ass from ROMAN lore…not Greek.
posted by Stick on 12-28-2007 at 5:11 am
Ransom musta been thinking of the “Golden Fleece” - Jason & Co. off to Thrace for a summer of rape, pillage, and other school-boy hijinks.
I think Jason called his gang/crew “The Argonauts”. Heracles and Theseus were some of them…
Interesting how folk heroes get to time travel. Robert Graves’ “White Goddess” explored some of this, as did Robert Campbell (”The Hero With a Thousand Faces” and other writings). These scholars are both SORELY missed!
posted by Doc on 12-29-2007 at 3:30 pm
BTW: If any of you find a place to purchase (legally) a slender loris, drop me a line. I live too close to a major highway for a dog (and refuse to chain one up, even for its’ own protection), and cats annoy my birds.
Looks like the little guy would be easy to hide, too. Make him ideal considering I live with a somewhat zoophobic Irishwoman.
Thanks!
posted by Doc on 12-29-2007 at 3:34 pm