Biomedical Ephemera, or: A Frog for Your Boils

Black Ctenosaur (Black Spiny-Tailed Lizard) - Ctenosaura similis

The black Ctenosaur, also known as the black iguana, or black spiny-tail lizard, is thought to be the fastest lizard on earth.

While they're not the largest Iguanidae, they're the largest member of their genus, Ctenosaura. The adult males can reach almost two meters long. Their herbivorious diet means that their speed is not required to catch prey, but due to large predators in Central America, it can be very useful in not being eaten.

Biologica Centrali-Americana, Mammalia. Edward Alston, 1882.

Canis Jubatus (now Chrysocyon brachyurus) - The Maned Wolf

[Another entry from bird and moon's comic.]

While it might have a mane of sorts, the maned wolf is not a wolf. In fact, it's not even a fox, even though it might look like a fox on stilts. Speaking of stilts, these guys are the tallest living canid, measuring up to 42 inches (106 cm) at the shoulder! Historically, the maned wolf was placed in the genera Canis and Vulpes (the wolves and foxes, respectively), because of superficial morphological similarities.

However, on further anatomical examination, and later, DNA analysis, the maned wolf was found to be unique in the genus Chrysocyon. There are no known extant or extinct species that come close to the maned wolf, though part of that is almost certainly due to a lack of fossilized remains - there may have been other members of the genus in the Pleistocene and Holocene that have not been found yet.

Currently, one of the most accepted theories on why the maned wolf is so unique is that it just happened to be the sole surviving species of its genus, during the Pleistocene (or Quaternary) extinction. That extinction event snuffed out all the large canids of South America, along with almost 3/4 of all the large mammals living at that time. 

The diet of this species may lend a clue as to how it survived the mass extinction: it's extremely omnivorous. While they search out and eat birds, small mammals, and reptiles, they also eat  berries, leaves, fruits, and tubers, and spread the seeds of many plants. Their diet also lends the maned wolf its nickname - the Skunk Wolf. They produce pyrazines and other musky plant derivatives that they spray about to mark territory. In fact, the smell of the maned wolf enclosure at the Rotterdam Zoo set off a search for marijuana, before they discovered the true source!

Proceedings of the Scientific Meetings of the Zoologic Society of London. Part III (May-June), 1877.

Manatus australis (now Trichecus manatus) - West Indian Manatee

The West Indian Manatee includes the subspecies Trichecus manatus latirostris, the Florida Manatee. This is the species that likes to loll around the river heads of central-southern Florida during the winter, leading to the development of several "manatee parks" that let tourists and residents view the overwintering creatures, while also providing rehabilitation to the injured and an especially strongly protected area for the wild individuals.

Manatees belong to the order Sirenia, which also includes dugongs and the extinct Stellar's sea cow. Unlike other marine mammals, Sirenia are primarily herbivorous, though they are opportunistic feeders and will consume small fish and crustaceans when they're nearby.

Biologia centrali-americana: Mammalia. Edward Richard Alston, 1882.

Sciurus hypopyrrhus (subspecies of and may be synonymous with Sciurus aureogaster) - Mexican Red-Bellied Squirrel

This subspecies of the Mexican Gray Squirrel is possibly just a variation on Sciurus aureogaster. As it has no distinct population separate from the Mexican Gray, the Red-Bellied and melanistic "subspecies" (all of which interbreed) are often considered nothing more than color variants.

Biologia centralia-americana. Edward Richard Alston, 1882.

Dide[l]phis derbiana (now Caluromys derbianus) - Derby's Opossum

This Paraguayan and Central American opossum was named in honor of the 13th Earl of Derby.

This particular specimen lived in the Zoological Society's Gardens, and would viciously attack anyone who came near her when she had young who were not yet on their own. When she was not with her young, she was shy, but not eager to attack.

Biologia centrali-americana: Mammalia. Edward Richard Alston, 1882.

Tapirus pinchaque - The Mountain tapir

Biologia Centrali-Americana: Mammalia. Edward R. Alston, 1879.

Heros labiatus (now Amphilophus labiatus)

This chiclid can be found under the trade name of "red devil," though specimens of Amphilophus citrinellus ("Midas chiclid") that have black bands or spots are also sometimes sold under this name. Like most chiclids, they're highly aggressive, and have razor-like teeth. They've been known to ram aquarium glass when they see an invader nearby, break aquarium heaters, and, of course, kill almost any other fish or invertebrate that can't stand up to them. 

The enlarged lips illustrated are due to the diet the chiclid eats in the wild, and are not seen in captive fish. 

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1864.

"The Smallest Anteater" (The Silky Anteater, Cyclopes didactylus dorsus)

This anteater is slow-moving and largely arboreal, much like their sloth cousins. However, they also have a partially prehensile tail, and eat, well, ants. Sometimes they also eat other insects that pass by them, but they don't produce chitinase, so they can't fully digest those bugs.

Types of Animal Life. St. George Mivart, 1893.