Fauna of Hungary 2013 10 May 2013 4:52 PM (11 years ago)
Magyar Posta issued the stamps present the breeds and species of animal indigenous to Hungary on stamps on April 09, 2013. The issuance features the protected predatory and insectivorous mammals like : the stoat, pygmy shrew, European lynx and greater mouse-eared bat on the stamps in the series, and the northern white-breasted hedgehog is shown on a numbered stamp block.
Stoat (Mustela erminea) •
The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the short-tailed weasel, is a species of Mustelidae native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.
This long, slim animal favours damp habitats and avoids closed forests. It mainly eats small rodents and birds. It is an opportunistic, skilful predator.
Its winter coat is entirely white except for the black tail, and in the summer its coat is sandy brown on the back, white on its belly and chest, and black at the tip of its tail.
The stoat is classed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to its wide circumpolar distribution, and because it does not face any significant threat to its survival. It is listed among the 100 "world's worst invasive species".
Pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) •
Active throughout the day and night, the pygmy shrew lives in undergrowth and leaf litter and lives off small insects and invertebrates.
It has an average weight of 4 grams and has one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal, meaning it must eat at regular intervals — every two hours or so.
It inhabits dry shrubby areas with abundant vegetation, avoiding closed forests. In winter it spends about 50 per cent of its active time above ground, which means it can easily fall victim to owls.
It reproduces several times a year, giving birth to 4 to 7 cubs on each occasion.
European lynx (Lynx lynx) •
Lynx preys largely on small to fairly large sized mammals and birds.
The lynx prefers extensive dense forests. Besides its spotted coat and distinctive beard, a distinguishing feature is the tuft of fur at the tip of its ears.
The European lynx is the largest lynx species, ranging in length from 80 to 130 cm and standing about 70 cm at the shoulder. The tail measures 11 to 25 cm in length.
It has excellent hearing and touch. Its long limbs and muscular body enable the animal to leap 3 to 4 metres to pounce on its prey even in deep snow.
Greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) •
Myotis myotis, is an European species of bat in the Vespertilionidae family. Its lifespan is over 20 years.
It favours open, sparsely wooded areas but also lives in residential areas. It spends the winter in caves.
Hungary’s most common bat is active at night and is gregarious. This insectivorous mammal catches its prey using high frequency sounds and echolocation.
It is relatively large for a member of the Myotis genus, weighing up to 45 grams (a little larger than a house mouse, Mus musculus), making it one of the largest European bats.
Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) •
The Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) is a species of hedgehog. This nocturnal animal lives among dense undergrowth in sparse woodland, among bushes and in gardens and parkland.
Its sharp teeth are effective not only for capturing earthworms but they can also easily bit a snake in two. It has a thick coat of spines and an undercoat of fur.
The black and white banded spines harden shortly after birth. Its breast is covered in white fur. It has well-developed skin muscles, allowing it to curl up in a defensive ball. It hibernates and females have two litters a year. It can live up to ten years. Source: hu.wikipedia.org
The other issues are two of First Day Cover which sealed with stamp series and souvenir sheet. The both covers shown the Northern white-breasted hedgehog on the left side and special post mark.
Seafood Creatures of Faroe Islands 3 May 2013 6:36 PM (11 years ago)
In Faroes, the Norwegian Lobster with its elegant and succulent meat is very much sought after by the restaurants, but also new-comers like the Brown Crab and the Deep Sea Red Crab are gaining more and more popularity.
To devoted the specific seafood in the Faroes Island , one set of four stamp series has been issued on February 25,2013, designed by Astrid Andreasen features the edible popular sea-animal, Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus), Deep Sea Red Crab (Chaceon affinis ), Shrimps ( Pandaulus borealis), Lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ).
Brown Crab - Cancer pagurus
The Brown Crab ( Cancer pagurus) also known as the Edible Crab . The shield is reddish brown and claws have a purple tinge with black tips. The difference between male and female crabs by the tail below the belly side, which is wider on females. The shield can be 30 cm wide, rarely more than 20 cm, and the crab's total weight can reach up to 5 kg.
It is most often found on hard seabed, that is, rock. The crab's diet consists mostly of benthic invertebrates such as mussels and horse mussels. In summer, the Brown Crab lives on 1 to 30 m depth, and in winter between 30 to 50 meters depth.
When the Brown Crab is 5 - 6 years old, it becomes sexually mature. It changes shield in the summer, and when it has thrown the old shield and got a new one, it will mate.
The female can store the male's sperm for many years. After having mated once, she can spawn up to three times. The female spawns up to 3 million eggs in autumn and store them during the winter.
In the Faroe Islands there is no commercial fishery for Brown Crab - but in Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the UK, approx. 25,000 tonnes of Brown Crab are caught per year.
Deep sea red crab - Chaceon affinis
In English the crab is called "Deep sea red crab". Crab legs are thin, so there's not much meat in them. But the claws are large and filled with tasty crab meat. There is also some meat on the body.
In a reciprocal fisheries agreement between the Faroese and the Greenlandic authorities, a Greenlandic trawler was allowed to conduct experimental fishing for crab in the outer Faroese sea territories.
The first attempt took place in February 2000. The red crab - which was the subject of the experimental fishing - appeared frequently as by catch in gillnet fishery for anglerfish. There had been sporadic attempts to fish crab with traps before year 2000 - and to sell it abroad, but not until the year 2006 crab fishing really took off with Faroese vessels.
Crab is caught with traps in areas southwest of the Faroe Islands and at 500 meters depth. The traps are fastened to a rope with approx. 50 meter distance in between, and set out in much the same way as when fishing with gillnets. The catch so far has been about 280 tons per year.
Shrimp - Pandalus borealis
Shrimp are red and have a long horn on their head, filled with sharp thorns. It can be up to 16 - 17 cm long. Shrimps feed on worms, organic waste and various small animals - and even serves as food for larger fish such as cod, halibut and salmon.
The prevalence of Pandalus borealis shrimp goes from the southern regions of the North Sea continental shelf and Skagerrak over to the east side of America's so-called "Gulf of Maine".
In the northern areas the shrimp occurs in the Barents Sea in Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland - Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland and the Davis Strait between Greenland and Canada. The shrimp also occurs in the North Pacific around Alaska and the northern parts of Japan.
The shrimp is a hermaphrodite. The first years it is male - in southern waters where the water is warm, it is male for the first two years of its life, while, in the colder northern waters, it is male for 4 - 7 years. Then the shrimp switches sex and spends the rest of its life as female.
Shrimps live on soft seabed from 50 to 600 meters depth, where the temperature is between 0 to 8 degrees Celsius. They have, however, been caught below 1000 meters.
For the Faroe Islands, shrimping has had great economic importance since the late sixties. The largest catches occurred in the seventies and eighties. Shrimp is in fact the most widely used marine delicacy in the world.
Lobster - Nephrops norvegicus
The Norway lobster is reddish. On the upper body and the head it carries a hard shell, which is attached to the back and hangs down along the sides.
Its gills are located beneath the shell on both sides. The female lobster can grow up to 20 cm, while males can grow up to 25 cm. Lobsters live on 15 to 500 meters depth. It hunts at night and feeds mainly on small benthic animals like starfish, worms and crabs.
The lobster reaches sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years of age. The female carries the approx. 4000 eggs between the hind legs for 8 - 9 months before they are hatched. Lobster spawn every two years, from March to September.
The lobster in Faroese waters is a special Faroese variant and is most often found in the fjords. It happens, however, that lobsters are found out in the Faroese sea shelf. It feeds on soft ground where it dig burrows with multiple entrances and exits.
Lobster fishing is approx. 55 to 60 tons per year. The minimum length for lobster fishing is 13 cm - if the animal is below this limit, it must be put out again.
Technical Details
Issue Date: 25.02.2013Designer: Astrid Andreasen
Printer: LM Group, Canada
Process: offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Size: 40 x 29 mm
Values: 7.00, 9.00, 23.00, 34.00
Endangered Species - Giant Panda 28 Mar 2013 9:30 PM (12 years ago)
In year 2013, continuing the previous edition, Guernsey Post issued special stamps for endangered species, featuring the animal species, Panda .
Peaceful and secretive creatures, Giant Pandas have steadily lost their forest habitat to China’s expanding human population. These striking animals, which were once widespread in southern and eastern China, are now confined to fragmented forest patches high in the southwestern mountains.
Classified by the IUCN as Endangered, the most recent study of Giant Pandas and their habitat revealed there are only around 1,600 left in the wild. Restricted and degraded habitat is the greatest threat to Giant Pandas. The animals’ range has contracted due to the conversion of forests to agricultural areas, poaching, and large-scale development activities such as road and rail construction.
As member of the bear family, the Giant Panda is the only species in its genus. The animals have the digestive system of a carnivore, but have adapted to a vegetarian diet. They depend almost exclusively on bamboo as a food source and can eat up to 80 pounds of this fibrous plant in just one day.
Clivia Flower Plant 31 Dec 2012 1:31 AM (12 years ago)
Clivia nobilis is only found in the Eastern Cape Province, specifically from the Sundays River Mouth, extending up along the coast to the Mbashe River area, with colonies occurring as far inland as in the vicinity of Grahamstown, the Olifants Kop pass.
Clivia nobilis is found under evergreen forest, low bush (thicket) and amongst dune vegetation. The inland populations are found in wooded kloofs where they grow on riverbanks, rocky outcrops and along forest margins.
The populations growing primary in coastal dune vegetation and sand are normally more exposed, with the plants near the top of dunes grow in full sunlight.
The inflorescence consists of an umbel of 20-60 florets borne on a peduncle about 300 mm long The florets are pinkish yellow to dark red with green tips . They are pendulous tubular, about 11 mm wide and 25 - 40 mm long.
South Africa Post proud to released a miniature sheet consist of six stamps feature the Clivia Flower Plant, which are found in South Africa, on August 8, 2006. The sheet depict Clivia miniata, Clivia gardenii, Clivia nobilis, Clivia robusta , Clavia Mirabilis and Clivia caulescens .
Clavia miniata, Clavia gardenii, Clavia robusta and Clavia caulescens seedlings flower after four to five years. Clavia nobilis will flower after seven or eight years. It is reported that Clavia mirabilis also takes about 6 years to flower.
Clivia miniata (Natal lily, bush lily) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clivia of the family Amaryllidaceae, native to damp woodland habitats in South Africa.
It grows to a height of about 45 cm , and flowers are red, orange or yellow, with a faint, but very sweet perfume.
It is sometimes known in cultivation as "Kaffir lily".However, this name is also confusingly applied to the genus Schizostylis. It contains small amounts of lycorine, making it poisonous.
Originating mostly from Kwazulu-Natal, Clavia gardenii makes a beautiful addition to the shady garden.
It is apparently able to tolerate fairly dry conditions, the roots are fleshy and have water storage capabilities.
This makes it a wonderful water-wise garden plant. It is also an excellent pot specimen that requires a well drained humus-rich potting medium.
If planted in very deep shade, flowering may be adversely affected.
Clivia also do not thrive in sunny conditions, becoming yellow and stunted. They should be planted in a shady position with plenty of compost and bone-meal added to the soil.
Clivia caulescens is a long-lived species from subtropical South Africa. It grows as an epiphyte on trees in the wild, as well as growing in soil, or on humus-covered rocks.
The species name "caulescens" refers to the tall stem from which the leaves emerge.
Its leaves are more robust than the common Clivia and are held more upright, giving the plant somewhat of an appearance of a Bromeliad.
Flowers tend to appear in the spring or summer, although in cultivation, flowering can happen at any point in the year, which is fairly unusual for Clivia species. The 1½ foot tall flower stalk typically has 15 to 20 blooms. The flower color is a vivid red-salmon with green edges. This species can flower as early as 4 years old.
Clivia caulescens may be able to cross-breed it with other Clivia species, to create new and unique hybrids!
Clavia mirabilis is a newly discovered species whose identity was only confirmed in February 2001.
As the natural habitat of this species now enjoys maximum protection and no population is known outside the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Clavia mirabilis remains extremely rare in cultivation.
In cultivation, Clavia mirabilis enjoys a humus rich medium and a half-shady environment. Taking into account its semi-arid habitat, the species would prefer a fairly dry condition during summer months.
Clivia robusta is probably one of the tallest members of the genus as it can grow to a height of 1.6 m in ideal conditions. It is a strong grower and thrives in swamp conditions. The flowers are pendulous and range from various shades of orange to yellow with green tips. Clivia robusta is long-lived, produces buttress roots in very wet areas.
Clivia robusta has strap shaped, broad leaves which can reach 180mm in length. The habit is upright. Plants flower in late autumn to midwinter, producing pendulous flowers ranging from pale to dark orange with green tips. The peduncles or flower spikes are strong and hold the inflorescence above the foliage. The berries are round, green ripening to orange. Under ideal conditions,
Eels of Fiji 30 Dec 2012 2:08 PM (12 years ago)
On October 15, 2008, Fiji Post issued a set of four stamps feature the Fresh Water Eels. The 50 c and $1.50 stamps present Anguilla obscura, meanwhile the 90c stamp presents Anguilla marmorata, and the $2.0 stamp presents Gymnothorax polyuranodon.
Anguilla obscura is belongs to the group of anguillas which have a short dorsal fin which originates slightly before the anus.
Inhabits freshwater streams, lakes and swamps, favouring coastal lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers. Spawning adults occur in marine waters. Sub-adults spend most of their lives in fresh or brackish waters. Found in large turbid rivers and small creeks . Occurs both in running and stagnant waters. Feeds mainly on fishes, crustaceans and mollusks.
The marbled eel or Anguilla marmorata, is a species of tropical anguillid eel that is found in the Indo-Pacific and adjacent freshwater habitats.
The marbled eel is cylindrical with small, well-developed pectoral fins and a protruding lower jaw.The eel has thick, fleshy lips.The eel has dorsal and anal fins that are continuous around the tail, with the origin of the dorsal-fin origin between the pectoral fins and anus. It has small, oval-shaped scales that are embedded in the skin.
It can grow up to 2 meters for females and 1.5 meters for males and can weigh up to 20.5 kilograms. The marbled eel can live up to about 40 years.
Anguilla obscura or the Pacific Shortfin Eel has a snake-like body with a small head, jaws reaching well past the eye.
The Pacific Shortfin Eel is uniform silver or yellowish to dark brown, becoming paler below. The dorsal fin originates before the anus, just in front of, or level with the anal fin origin, and the jaws reach beyond the eye.
Gymnothorax polyuranodon is a moray eel found in the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as in regions of freshwater. It is commonly known as the Freshwater moray, Manytoothed moray, or the Spotted freshwater moray eel.
Gymnothorax polyuranodon is grey and has numerous yellow to golden spots spread on the dorsal and lateral part of the body.With age the yellow spots become smaller giving the adults a more or less uniform grey appearance. They are common in the Sundaban mangrove swamps in East India, but they are also distributed in Indonesia, the Philippines and the Adaman Islands. The species reaches a maximum length of 60 cm .
Niue Shells 2012 30 Dec 2012 1:34 PM (12 years ago)
Niue Post issued a miniature sheet consist of four stamps feature the Niue’s shells in year 2012.The shells depicted are the map cowrie (Leporicypraea mappa), geography cone (Gastridium geographus), partridge tun (Tonna perdix) and tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris).
The $ 1.20 stamp represents the Map cowrie is common name of Mauritia mappa.
It is a species of sea snail, a cowry, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.The map cowry was named on the basis of its distinct color pattern, because of the longitudinal lines and the easily distinguishable and sinuous mantle groove, which creates a resemblance to ancient maps
This is considered an economically important species in the Indo-West Pacific, where it is usually collected both for food and for shell trading.
The $1.40 stamp depicts the Geography Cone, common name of Conus geographus.
It is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones.
Conus geographus has a broad, thin shell, cylindrically inflated. Geography cones grow to about 4 inches to 6 inches in length. The size of an adult shell varies between 43 mm and 166 mm. The ground color of the shell is pink or violaceous white, occasionally reddish.
It has a mottled appearance, clouded and coarsely reticulated with chestnut or chocolate, usually forming two very irregular bands. This intricately brown-and-white pattern is highly prized by shell collectors.
The $ 1.70 stamp represents the Partridge tun, common name of Tonna perdix, is a species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tonnidae, the tun shells.
The pattern and brownish colour of the shell is reminiscent of that of a partridge, hence the common name. The size of an adult shell varies between 70 mm and 220 mm.
The $ 2.00 stamp represents the Tiger Cowrie, common name of Cypraea tigris, is a species of cowry, a large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.
Roughly egg-shaped and dextral, the glossy shell is large and heavy for a cowry.
It measures up to 15 cm in length, and the upper or dorsal side is white, pale bluish-white, or buff, densely covered with dark brown or blackish barely circular spots.
Caribbean Sea Flowers 29 Dec 2012 1:35 PM (12 years ago)
Montserrat Post released a set of four stamps feature the Caribbean Sea flowers on May 2, 2006. The species depicted on stamps are Tube dwelling anemone , Giant Caribean Anemone , Beadlet Anemone, Golden Crinoid.
Tube Dwelling Anemone or Pachycerianthus fimbriatus is a mono-chromal anemone that burrows in substrate through a semi-rigid tube. The anemone is often seen in bright orange to red. Like most anemones, the tube-dwelling anemone contains stinging cells or nematocytes along its tentacles, however, the cells are not toxic to humans.They feeds on small crustaceans.
Giant Caribean Anemone or called Condylactis gigantea is a tropical species of sea anemone that is found in coral reefs and other shallow inshore areas in the Caribbean Sea (more specifically the West Indies) and the western Atlantic Ocean including southern Florida through the Florida Keys.This species can easily be seen growing in lagoons or on inner reefs as either individuals or loose groups, but never as colonies.
The giant Caribbean anemone is usually found in the crevices of rock walls, attached to a rock, shell, or almost any other hard object in shallow water that experiences full–strength seawater most of the time.
Beadlet Anemone or Actima equina can be found both in exposed and sheltered situations.
Actima equina is highly adapted to the intertidal zone as it can tolerate both high temperatures and desiccation.
Actima equina may also be found in regions of variable salinity such as estuaries. Underwater, it displays up to 192 tentacles, arranged in six circles. Out of water, the tentacles retract and the anemone resembles a blob of red, brown, green or orange jelly, up to about 5 centimetres across.
Nemaster rubiginosa or Davidaster rubiginosus or the Golden crinoid is a species of crinoid in the family Comasteridae. It is found on reefs in the tropical western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.
The orange sea lily or golden crinoid is found on reefs at depths of between 10 and 30 metres. Its range includes Florida, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas southwards to the coast of Brazil.
The Golden crinoid is a stalkless crinoid. It has twenty to thirty five arms 10 to 20 centimetres long radiating from the calyx, a cup-like body with a lid, the tegmen. Each arm is feather-like and has many pinnules projecting alternately from one side and the other.
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Bumble Bees 28 Dec 2012 10:00 PM (12 years ago)
Slovenia Post issued a set of four stamps in three single stamp and one in souvenir sheet stamp that dedicated to the bumblebees species, e.g: the Red-tailed bumblebee or Bombus lapidarius, the Common carderbee or Bombus pascuorum , the Brown-banded carder-bee or Bombus humilis , the White-tailed bumble-bee or Bombus lucorum on September 28, 2012.
Red-tailed bumblebee or Bombus lapidarius is one of the larger bumblebees in Slovenia. It is covered with black and, at the end of its abdomen, red hairs. They have a medium long tongue, 10-14 mm.
These bees prefer to nest underground and the base of dry stone dykes and walls are popular locations. The size of the nest can vary considerably from over 200 bees to less than 100.
Colonies are strong, with 100 to 300 individuals.Workers fly to forage,as far as several kilometres from the nest. They pollinate over 200 species of,plant, including many cultivated ones such as fruit trees and clover.
Common carderbee or Bombus pascuorum is a medium sized bumble-bee, covered with pale reddish-brown, grey-black,and/or yellow-brown hairs. Its tongue is between 13 and 15 mm long.
The development of the colony takes a long time. Nests are medium sized with 60 to 150 workers that fly out to forage even in cold weather.
Common carder-bee is the most widespread,species in Slovenia, ranging up to 1,700,m above sea level. It makes nests,mainly on the surface in forests, by bushes in meadows, in birds’ nests ,non-residential buildings and similar.
Brown-banded carder-bee or Bombus humilis is a smaller bumblebee covered in grey and/or black hairs, and the queen bee and males can also have brown hairs.
Most are black with less grey individuals and very few brown ones. The tongue is 12 to 14 mm long.
Up to around 100 workers can live in the nest. Nests are made in sunny grassy areas usually in grassy turf; they have been observed at around 1,100 m above sea level.
Bombus humilis are highly endangered in lowland areas owing to mechanized mowing. They are typical pollinators of fruit trees, shrubs,and meadow flowers. They are very fast in foraging on flowers faster than the majority of other bumblebees and of course faster than bees.
The white-tailed bumblebee or Bombus lucorum is one of the most beautiful of Slovenia’s,bumblebees. Their bodies are covered,in black, yellow and white hairs. They have a very short tongue 8-10 mm, so in longer-tubed flowers they get to the nectar by cutting through the base of the corolla and finding the desired food through the tiny hole.
They live both in lowlands and mountains up to approximately 2,000 metres above sea level. Nests can be found in meadowlands fields, forests and by the banks of rivers. The plants that it most commonly frequents are spring heath.
28.09.2012
Fish of Tokelau 24 Dec 2012 2:29 PM (12 years ago)
The three tiny atolls of Tokelau are placed in the vast Pacific Ocean, and are surrounded by a range of fish species, four of which feature on the ‘Fish of Tokelau’ stamp issue.
The fish illustrated in this colourful stamp issue are the kakahi (yellowfin tuna), the palu malau (ruby snapper), the paala (wahoo) and the mahi-mahi (common dolphinfish).
The 40c stamp represents Kakahi (Thunnus albacares) fish. Kakahi (Thunnus albacares) are commonly found at depths of 100 to 120 metres in Tokelau, and are a favourite catch of Tokelauans. They are torpedo-shaped with dark metallic-blue backs, yellow sides and silver bellies.
Kakahi (Thunnus albacares) or The yellowfin tuna is among the larger tuna species, reaching weights of over 400 pounds. Yellowfin tuna prey include other fish, pelagic crustaceans, and squid.
The 45c stamp represents the Palu malau fish or Etelis carbunculus that found in Tokelau’s tropical waters and is a fairly long fish with a forked tail.
It is found at depths of 90 to 400 metres, and while it can measure up to 120 centimetres in length, it is often smaller.
Etelis carbunculus or The Ruby Snapper, is found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is known from the coast of East Africa to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, across the Indo-pacific, north to Japan and south to Australia
Etelis carbunculus or The Ruby Snapper inhabits rocky bottoms on the continental shelf, and feeds on fishes and large invertebrates such as squids, shrimps and crabs. It also feeds on planktonic organisms.
Etelis carbunculus or The Ruby Snapper is an important food fish in some areas. It is mainly caught with bottom long-lines and deep hand-lines, and is marketed fresh or frozen. It is vulnerable to heavy fishing.
The $1.40 stamp represents the paala or the wahoo or Acanthocybium solandri is one of the fastest-moving fish in the world and is streamlined with an elongated body.
It is covered in tiny scales and is usually found on its own, or in groups of two or three. Where conditions are suitable can be found in schools as large as 100 or more .
The wahoo may be distinguished from the related Atlantic king mackerel and from the Indo-Pacific Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel by a fold of skin which covers the mandible when its mouth is closed. Their diet is made up of other fish and squid.
The flesh of the wahoo is white to grey, delicate to dense, and highly regarded by many gourmets. The taste is similar to mackerel, though arguably less pronounced. This has created some demand for the wahoo as a premium priced commercial food fish.
The $2.00 stamp represents the mahi-mahi or the common dolphin-fish, Coryphaena hippurus is found in warm waters such as those of Tokelau.
Mahi-mahi or common dolphin-fish (Coryphaena hippurus) is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish and has a long, compressed body and mature males are known for having prominent bony crests on the front of their heads. The average weigh 7 – 13 kilograms.
Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other forage fish. They have also been known to eat zooplankton and crustaceans.Mahi-mahi live 4 to 5 years.
As part of this issue, two first day covers are also available. The kakahi and palu malau are featured on the respective covers, and the date stamp portrays a wooden fish hook that would have traditionally been used throughout the Pacific.
Freshwater Gobies of Fiji 23 Dec 2012 1:45 PM (12 years ago)
Freshwater streams and rivers within Fiji and the wider Indo-Pacific are inhabited by the agile and often beautiful fishes from family Gobiidae.
Pay tribute to this species, Fiji post issued a set of four stamps feature Sicyopterus lagocephalus, Stiphodon rutilaurens, Sicyopus zosterophorum , Stiphodon sp on April 5, 2007.
The 20 c stamp represent Sicyopterus lagocephalus species. Sicyopterus lagocephalus is known from the Comoro Islands, Mascarene Islands, Sri Lanka and western of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, and from Indonesia to the Society Islands and japan to Australia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and now Fiji in the Pacific.
Sicyopterus lagocephalus is almost always found in moderate flowing to very swift clear streams with boulder-strewn bottoms often also with smaller gravel, sand and minimum silt. It will be reach a maximum size of about 13 cm. This species appears the most tolerant to a range water qualities and is also widest ranging of Fijian Sicydiinae.
Stiphodon rutilaurens is truly Melanesian species ranging from the northern slopes of New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and now eastward to Fiji. This species found in clear streams on all of the high islands.
Stiphodon rutilaurens is relatively small and tends to stick to the gravel feeding primarily on algae and reaching a maximum size of about 3 cm.
Sicyopus zosterophorum is most commonly found in fast moving, high gradient streams with rocky and boulder substrate.
This species is native from Nias island, Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean to southern Japan, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. This species reaches a maximum size of about 5 cm.
Stiphodon sp. is a beautiful new species of goby discovered in Fiji by biologists from Wetlands International-Oceania and University of the South Pacific in 2003.
This species reaches a maximum size of around 4 cm. It has been collected on all largest islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Kadayu.
Corals of Mayotte 21 Dec 2012 5:37 PM (12 years ago)
Mayotte Post released the unique souvenir sheet stamp, consist of four stamps presents corals on July 2, 2007. The species are depicted Acropora palmata, Gorgone eventail, the Staghorn coral, Brain coral which are found in Mayotte.
Corail corne d’elan or Elk horn coral (Acropora palmata) is a leading corals forming coral reefs of the Caribbean . Acroporas grow in the coral reefs of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
It has a complex structure with many large branches that form a habitat for various reef dwellers such as lobsters , the parrotfish .
Coral colonies horned elk grow incredibly fast (5 to 10 cm per year) and can reach a diameter of 3.50 meters. Its color varies from brown to yellowish-brown. The result of a symbiosis with zooxanthellae living within the coral tissues. This alga performs photosynthesis and pourvoie the coral nutrients .
Gorgone Eventail, or sea fan, is a marine animal, resembling coral , which is also a cousin.
Thousands of gorgonians live together to form what is called a colony, and their exoskeletons hard, and are bonded form ramifications, like branches . In fact, gorgonians are a group: there are a large number of species.
Corail corne de cerf or the Staghorn coral is found throughout the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
This coral occurs in the western Gulf of Mexico.The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height. It occurs in back reef and fore reef environments from 0 to 30 m depth.
Cerveau de Neptune or Brain corals are found in shallow warm-water coral reefs in all the world's oceans. They are part of the phylum Cnidaria, in a class called Anthozoa or "flower animals."
The life span of the largest brain corals is 900 years. Colonies can grow as large as 6 or more feet (1.8 m) high.Brain coral is a common name given to corals in the family Faviidae so called due to their generally spheroid shape and grooved surface which resembles a brain.
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Turtles of Montserrat 17 Dec 2012 4:39 PM (12 years ago)
Montserrat Post issued a set of stamps feature marine turtles on August 8, 2007. The issue stamps depict 5 species of marine turtles,e.g: Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle, Leatherback turtle, Loggerhead turtle, and Kemps Ridley turtle.
The present of stamp in a sheetlet comprised of four stamps and one souvenir sheet comprised of one stamp.
Kemp's ridley is a small living sea turtle species, reaching maturity at 60–90 centimetres long and averaging only 45 kilograms . Its colour is olive green above and yellowish below.
Kemp's ridley sea turtles generally prefer warm waters. Their range includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.The Kemp's ridley turtle feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, jellyfish, algae or seaweed, and sea urchins.
The hawksbill's appearance is similar to that of other marine turtles. It has a generally flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like arms, adapted for swimming in the open ocean.
This is a relatively small species of sea turtles. It is identified by its thick, overlapping shell scutes and its four pairs of lateral scutes.
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies.
The green turtle (Chelonia mydas), is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae.
It is listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES and is protected from exploitation in most countries.
Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Like other sea turtles, the green turtle migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. In its adult stage it is dark olive or grey with dark blotches. Its length is up to 1.5 meters.
Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge and walk into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to age 80 in the wild.
The leatherback turtle or (Dermochelys coriacea) is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell.
This is the largest of sea turtles and may weigh from 700 – 1600 lbs. Its leathery, white-spotted, black or dark grey shell has pronounced longitudinal ridges. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh.
The leatherback is found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, and its range extends well into the Arctic Circle. Leatherback turtles can be found primarily in the open ocean.
It is identified by its reddish-brown carapace and its yellow belly.The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
The loggerhead sea turtle is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It spends most of its life in saltwater and estuarine habitats, with females briefly coming ashore to lay eggs.
The loggerhead sea turtle has a low reproductive rate; females lay an average of four egg clutches and then become quiescent, producing no eggs for two to three years.
Marine turtles have been subject to massive over-exploitation and sadly they are now threatened with extinction.
50th Anniversary of WWF – Macao 7 Dec 2012 2:04 PM (12 years ago)
Macao China Post, has commemorated the 50th Anniversary of WWF by issuing a set of four stamps on 11th of September 2011 .
The protected bird species like: Pynonotus sinensis, Streptopelia chinensis, Ixobrychus sinensis and Centropus sinensis.
The 1.50 ptcs stamp shown Pycnonotus sinensis or Chinese bulbul. The Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), is a bird and a member of the bulbul family.The bulbul is common in East Asia, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.
The birds of Taiwan are of an endemic subspecies.The particular characteristic is the large white patch covering the nape and the sides of its black head. It also sings very brightly.the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
The 2.50 ptcs stamp shown Streptopelia chinensis, sometimes also called the Chinese Dove, Mountain Dove, Pearl-necked Dove or Lace-necked Dove.
The Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small and somewhat long-tailed pigeon which is a common resident breeding bird across its native range on the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
This dove is long tailed buff brown with a white-spotted black collar patch on the back and sides of the neck. The tail tips are white and the wing coverts have light buff spots. There is considerable plumage variations across populations within its wide range.
The species is found in light forests and gardens as well as in urban areas. They fly off from the ground with an explosive flutter and will sometimes glide down to a perch.
The 3.50 ptcs stamp shown Ixobrychus sinensis, or the Yellow bittern. It is breeding in much of the Indian Subcontinent, east to Japan and Indonesia.
The Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) is a small bittern. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds migrate short distances.
The Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 .Their breeding habitat is reed beds. They nest on platforms of reeds in shrubs. 4-6 eggs are laid. Yellow Bitterns feed on insects, fish and amphibians.
This is a small species at 36 to 38 cm in length, with a short neck and longish bill. The male is uniformly dull yellow above and buff below. The head and neck are chestnut, with a black crown. The female's crown, neck and breast are streaked brown.
The 4.50 ptcs stamp shown Centropus sinensis or Crow pheasant. A widespread resident in Asia, from India, east to south China and Indonesia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species.
The Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant (Centropus sinensis) is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes.
They are large, crow-like with a long tail and coppery brown wings and found in wide range of habitats from jungle to cultivation and urban gardens. They are weak fliers, and are often seen clambering about in vegetation or walking on the ground as they forage for insects, eggs and nestlings of other birds. They have a familiar deep resonant call which is associated with omens in many parts of its range.
Red Cardinal Fody 6 Dec 2012 3:14 PM (12 years ago)
Mayotte Post issued a stamp feature bird species, Red Cardinal Fody on January 12, 2009. It is a common bird found in forest clearings, grasslands and cultivated areas.
The Red Cardinal Fody , sometimes known as Foudia madagascariensis , is a small bird native to Madagascar. It has been introduced to other areas of the Indian Ocean, included the Amirantes, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion.The population tend to stable and species is evaluated as Least Concern.
The Red Fody is about 5 inches in length and weighs 14–19 grams. The male of the species is bright red with black markings around each eye. Its wings and tail are olive-brown. The female fody's upper body is olive-brown and its underbody is greyish-brown.
Cardisoma carniflex - Wallis et Futuna 2 Dec 2012 1:13 PM (12 years ago)
The Postal Administration of Wallis & Futuna Islands issued a specific shaped souvenir sheet consist of two stamps on November 04, 2010. The species depicted is Cardisoma carniflex.
Cardisoma carnifex is a species of terrestrial crab found in coastal regions from the east coast of Africa and the Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific to the Line Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago.
The range includes parts of northern Australia and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Horny endpiece of male first pleopod asymmetric, external corner dentiform, sperm channel lateral.
Female genital duct with strongly protruding lateral border, median border much less marked; opercle highly elevated, dropping perpendicularly in direction to vulval slit.
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Wealth of Latvian Forests - 2010 30 Nov 2012 12:42 AM (12 years ago)
Continuing the previous released, Latvia Post has issued a set of two stamps features the wealth of Latvian Forest on 10 September 2010. The issue depicted species, Rubus idaeus (55) and The birch bolete (120).
Raspberry or Rubus idaeus
Rubus idaeus or occasionally as European Raspberry to distinguish it from other raspberries is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.
Rubus idaeus is grown primarily for its fruits, but occasionally for its leaves, roots, or other parts. The fruit is an important food crop, though most modern commercial raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between of Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus.The fruit is red, edible, and sweet but tart-flavoured, produced in summer or early autumn
Plants of Rubus idaeus are generally perennials which bear biennial stems from a perennial root system. Its grows vigorously to its full height of 1.5-2.5 m. The flowers are produced in late spring on short racemes on the tips of these side shoots, each flower about 1 cm diameter with five white petals.
As a wild plant, Rubus idaeus typically grows in forests, forming open stands under a tree canopy, and denser stands in clearings. In the south of its range (southern Europe and central Asia), it only occurs at high altitudes in mountains.
Brown Cap Boletus or Leccinum scabrum
The birch bolete (Leccinum scabrum) is an edible mushroom in the family Boletaceae, and was formerly classified as Boletus scaber.
The birch bolete is widespread in Europe, as well as elsewhere, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring only in mycorrhizal association with birch trees.
The birch bolete is edible and is especially enjoyable pickled in brine or vinegar. It is used also in mixed mushroom dishes, fried or steamed.
The pileus is 5–15 cm wide. The skin of the cap is light gray-brown to reddish gray-brown, later often more or less brown, smooth, bald, dry, and rather slimy when damp. The pores are white at a young age, later gray. The pore covering is easy to remove from the skin of the pileus. The stipe is 5–15 cm long and 1–3.5 cm wide, slim, with white and dark to black flakes, and tapers upward. The basic mycelium is white.
The flesh is whitish, later more gray-white and does not change color when broken. In young specimens, the meat is relatively firm, but it very soon becomes spongey and holds water, especially in rainy weather. When cooked, the meat of the birch bolete turns black.
%26nbsp;%20and%20The%20%3Cb%3Ebirch%20bolete%3C/b%3E%20(120).%20%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0ARaspberry%20or%20Rubus%20idaeus%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%20idaeus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E%20or%20occasionally%20as%20%3Cb%3EEuropean%20Raspberry%3C/b%3E%20to%20distinguish%20it%20from%20other%20raspberries%20is%20a%20red-fruited%20species%20of%20%3Ci%3ERubus%3C/i%3E%20native%20to%20Europe%20and%20northern%20Asia%20and%20commonly%20cultivated%20in%20other%20temperate%20regions.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%20idaeus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20is%20grown%20primarily%20for%20its%20fruits,%20but%20occasionally%20for%20its%20leaves,%20roots,%20or%20other%20parts.%20The%20fruit%20is%20an%20important%20food%20crop,%20though%20most%20modern%20commercial%20raspberry%20cultivars%20derive%20from%20hybrids%20between%20of%20%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%20idaeus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20and%20%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%26nbsp;%20strigosus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E.%3Cspan%3EThe%20fruit%20is%20red,%20edible,%20and%20sweet%20but%20tart-flavoured,%20produced%20in%20summer%20or%20early%20autumn%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EPlants%20of%20%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%20idaeus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E%20are%20generally%20perennials%20which%20bear%20biennial%20stems%26nbsp;%20from%20a%20perennial%20root%20system.%20Its%20grows%20vigorously%20to%20its%20full%20height%20of%201.5-2.5%20m.%20The%20flowers%20are%20produced%20in%20late%20spring%20on%20short%20racemes%20on%20the%20tips%20of%20these%20side%20shoots,%20each%20flower%20about%201%20cm%20diameter%20with%20five%20white%20petals.%20%3C/span%3E%20%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EAs%20a%20wild%20plant,%20%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Cspan%3E%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ERubus%20idaeus%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%20%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3Etypically%20grows%20in%20forests,%20forming%20open%20stands%20under%20a%20tree%20canopy,%20and%20denser%20stands%20in%20clearings.%20In%20the%20south%20of%20its%20range%20(southern%20Europe%20and%20central%20Asia),%20it%20only%20occurs%20at%20high%20altitudes%20in%20mountains.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Ca%20name%3D'more'%3E%3C/a%3E%20%3Ch5%3E%0A%26nbsp;%3C/h5%3E%0A%3Cimg%20align%3D%22left%22%20height%3D%22295%22%20src%3D%22http://d2cdm2jef6kgc7.cloudfront.net/stamps/2010/LV/LV016.10.jpg%22%20style%3D%22display:%20inline;%20float:%20left;%22%20width%3D%22240%22%20/%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%20Brown%20Cap%20Boletus%20or%20Leccinum%20scabrum%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%20%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EThe%20%3Cb%3Ebirch%20bolete%3C/b%3E%20(%3Ci%3E%3Cb%3ELeccinum%20scabrum%3C/b%3E%3C/i%3E)%20is%20an%20edible%20mushroom%20in%20the%20family%20Boletaceae,%20and%20was%20formerly%20classified%20as%20%3Ci%3EBoletus%20scaber%3C/i%3E.%20%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EThe%20birch%20bolete%20is%20widespread%20in%20Europe,%20as%20well%20as%20elsewhere,%20in%20the%20Northern%20Hemisphere,%20occurring%20only%20in%20mycorrhizal%20association%20with%20birch%20trees.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EThe%20birch%20bolete%20is%20edible%20and%20is%20especially%20enjoyable%20pickled%20in%20brine%20or%20vinegar.%20It%20is%20used%20also%20in%20mixed%20mushroom%20dishes,%20fried%20or%20steamed.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20align%3D%22justify%22%3E%0A%3Cspan%3EThe%20%3Cb%3Epileus%3C/b%3E%20is%205%E2%80%9315%20cm%20wide.%20The%20skin%20of%20the%20cap%20is%20light%20gray-brown%20to%20reddish%20gray-brown,%20later%20often%20more%20or%20less%20brown,%20smooth,%20bald,%20dry,%20and%20rather%20slimy%20when%20damp.%20The%20%3Cb%3Epores%3C/b%3E%20are%20white%20at%20a%20young%20age,%20later%20gray.%20The%20pore%20covering%20is%20easy%20to%20remove%20from%20the%20skin%20of%20the%20pileus.%20The%20%3Cb%3Estipe%3C/b%3E%20is%205%E2%80%9315%20cm%20long%20and%201%E2%80%933.5%20cm%26nbsp;%20wide,%20slim,%20with%20white%20and%20dark%20to%20black%20flakes,%20and%20tapers%20upward.%20The%20basic%20m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The Swordfish 29 Nov 2012 4:33 PM (12 years ago)
Swordfish are large , highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill. They have characteristics are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood.
On April 7, 2003, Mayotte Post issued one stamp feature the Swordfish as part of their fauna stamp series. Swordfish found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, and can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m .They commonly reach 3 m in length.
Mainly the swordfish relies on its great speed and agility in the water to catch its prey. Their speed average of 60 mph .They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive.
Swordfish are vigorous, powerful fighters. When hooked or harpooned, they have been known to dive so quickly that they have impaled their swords into the ocean bottom up to their eyes. Although there are no reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, swordfish can be very dangerous when harpooned. They have run their swords through the planking of small boats when hurt.
Birds of Mayotte 27 Nov 2012 2:28 PM (12 years ago)
Mayotte Post issued a set of four stamps features birds species on September 21, 2012. The issues are depicting birds of Mayotte , i.e: Souimanga, Drongo, Faudy, and Oiseau-lunette.
The Souimanga Sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga) is a small passerine bird of the sunbird family, Nectariniidae.
The Souimanga Sunbird is 10 cm long with a wingspan of 13 cm.The black bill is long, thin and curved. It is native to the islands of the western Indian Ocean where it occurs on Madagascar, the Aldabra Group and the Glorioso Islands.
Males of the nominate subspecies have a metallic green head, back and throat. The breast is blackish with a more or less continuous red band while the belly is yellow and the wings and tail are brown. There are yellow tufts at the sides of the breast which become visible when the birds lift their wings in courtship display
Drongo
The drongos are a family of small passerine birds of the Old World tropics, the Dicruridae.
The name is originally from the indigenous language of Madagascar, where it refers to local species, but is now used to refer to all members of the family.
These insectivorous birds are found in usually open forests or bush. Most are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike.
Oiseau-lunette
Oiseau-lunette is endemic to La Réunion is protected. This species has specific glasses on white plumage olive green. Noisy, it constantly emits a whistling short monosyllabic.
They are living in a couple, very mobile and very sociable, and attacks all intruders and in particular congeners or White Bird. They lives in forest high on the island. They feeds on nectar and season it also shows amateur pulpy fruit and insects.
Foudy
Fodies are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Foudia in the weaver family Ploceidae. The birds are 12 to 15 centimetres long and have short, conical bills.
They are native to the islands of the western Indian Ocean where they occur on Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoro Islands and the Mascarene Islands.
Males in breeding plumage are usually colourful with bright red or yellow on the head and sometimes elsewhere. Non-breeding males and females are dull, sparrow-like birds with mostly grey-brown plumage.
Fodies are typically found in forest, woodland or scrubland but some also occur in man-made habitats. Some species feed mainly on seeds while others are largely insectivorous.
Fodies build a dome-shaped nest of grass and other plant material. It has a side-opening and it is suspended from a branch or palm leaf.
Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp 26 Nov 2012 6:04 PM (12 years ago)
Fiji Post Limited issued a special souvenir sheet stamp consist of two stamps that features the endemic bird of Fiji, Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp, or the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) on July 20, 2006.
The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), is a large bird in the family Rallidae (rails). This chicken-sized bird, with its huge feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily-recognizable in its native range.
This species is sedentary, nomadic or partially migratory, with many populations making local seasonal movements in response to changing habitat conditions .
The species is mainly crepuscular and forages in the early-morning and late-evening.It breeds in solitary territorial pairs (especially in pastures) or in small communal groups containing several breeding males, breeding females and non-breeding helpers (especially in swamps) .
Suitable habitats include ponds, lakes, dams, marshes, swamps, rivers, flood-plains, artesian wells, sewage farms and wet rice-fields .The species also extends into open habitats adjacent to wetlands including grasslands, agricultural land, parks, gardens, hedgerows and forest margins.
Its diet consists predominantly of plant matter including shoots, leaves, roots, stems, flowers and seeds, rice, grasses, sedges, water-lilies, fern, bananas, tapioca . It also takes animal matter including molluscs, leeches, small crustaceans, adult and larval insects earthworms, spiders, fish and fish eggs, frogs and frog spawn, lizards ), water snakes Natrix maura , adult birds, bird eggs and nestlings, small rodents and carrion.
The main threats to this species are habitat loss through wetland drainage, habitat degradation through the introduction of exotic species, direct mortality from pesticide contamination , poisoning by cyanobacteria toxins (from dense blooms of cyanobacteria in wetlands) and hunting . The species is also susceptible to avian influenza and avian botulism so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases . The species is evaluated as Least Concern.
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Latvian National Bird 24 Nov 2012 6:43 PM (12 years ago)
To dedicate the Latvian Bird, Latvia Post pleased to issue one stamp feature the White Wagtail or Motacilla alba as their National Bird on August 30, .2003.
Motacilla alba
The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia. This is a slender bird, 16.5–19 cm in length with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. The basic appearance is grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.
The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae which breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. The major diet of White Wagtails are terrestrial and aquatic insects and other small invertebrates.
Motacilla alba is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures.
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Fiji's Endemic Fish–Siganus Uspi 23 Nov 2012 1:38 PM (12 years ago)
Fiji Post Limited proudly to issue a set of four stamps feature their endemic fish, USP Rabbitfish or Siganus Uspi on August 2003.
USP Rabbitfish or Siganus uspi is known under several different names, Fiji Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish. USP Rabbitfish lives in the Western Pacific and is considered endemic to the waters of Fiji. Occasional specimens have however been found in New Caledonia.
Classified(discovered) and named by Michael J. Gawel after USP (University of the South Pacific). Siganus uspi has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
USP Rabbitfish is a venomous species. The largest scientifically measured this species was 24.0 cm .
The front two-thirds of the body are of a dark purplish brown shade, while the posterior one-third is yellow. Spines stout, pungent and venomous. Snout slightly shorter and less tubular, less concave above the nostrils. Caudal fin slightly incised.
USP Rabbitfish is an omnivore species and a large portion of its diet consists of seaweed in the wild. Encourage natural algae growth in the aquarium since this makes it possible for the fish to carry outs its natural grazing behavior. This species is for instance known to eat hair algae and caulerpa. Supplement the natural algae growth with algae and algae based foods and fresh vegetables to make sure that your fish gets enough nutrition.
USP Rabbitfish is a reef associated specimen that can be found among hard corals at the faces of drop-offs at reef edges and in deep pools inside reef crests. Juveniles form schools while adult specimens live in pairs.
USP Rabbitfish or The Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish is an egg-laying species.
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Dolphins of the Pitcairn Islands 22 Nov 2012 3:07 PM (12 years ago)
On April 26, 2012, Pitcairn Islands Post has been issued the stamp series feature dolphins which found in their islands. The dolphins species depicted on stamps are Fraser’s dolphin or Lagenodelphis hosei, Spinner dolphin or Stenella longirostris, Spotted dolphin or Stenella attenuata, Spotted dolphin or Stenella attenuata.
$1.00 - Fraser's dolphin or Lagenodelphis hosei
Normally sighted in deep tropical waters between 30° S and 20° N the Eastern Pacific is the most reliable site for viewings.
Reaching 2.75 metres and 200 kg at adulthood, they have a stocky build, a small fin and conspicuously small flippers. They also lack a prominent beak which is a distinguishing characteristic of the dolphin. They swim quickly in large tightly packed groups of about 100 to 1000 in number, often chopping up the water tremendously.
The species feeds on pelagic (open sea) fish, squid and shrimp found 200 metres to 500 metres below the surface of the water. Virtually no sunlight penetrates this depth, so feeding is carried out using echo location.
$1.50 Spinner dolphin or Stenella longirostris
This dolphin appears in all tropical and subtropical waters between 40°N and 40°S. The species is usually associated with inshore waters, however, in the eastern tropical Pacific, they live hundreds of miles from the nearest land.
The spinner is a long and slender species ranging from 125–250 cm and reaching a body mass of 25–80 kg. Well known for their acrobatics and aerial behaviours, their spinning behaviour is believed to be related to breathing patterns, swimming energetics, play, hunting, removal of ectoparasites, territory or acoustic communication.
$2.10 Spotted dolphin or Stenella attenuata
Found across all tropical and sub-tropical waters around the world between 40° N and 40° S, the total population is in excess of three million. Lifespan is approximately 40 years.
This dolphin is very active and often leaps from the sea and bow-rides. The pan-tropical spotted dolphin's propensity for associating with yellow fin tuna, particularly in the eastern Pacific, has in recent history been a very real danger.
Over a period of about 25 years, 75% of this region's population, and over half the world's total, was wiped out. The issue received wide, public attention. According to a study reported in October 2008, negative impacts from fishing activities remain, despite broad “dolphin safe” practices.
$3.00 Bottlenose dolphin or Tursiops truncatus
The common bottlenose dolphin is around 3M long, weighs up to 500kg and feeds on eels, squid, shrimp and wide variety of fish. They are found in the warm and temperate tropical oceans worldwide, in pods averaging 15 individuals.
Generally offshore populations are larger, darker, and have proportionally shorter fins and beaks. They can migrate up to 4,200 kilometres in a season and it is estimated that two million are found in the eastern Pacific (a decrease of 7 million from the 1950s).
Passion Fruit of Fiji 21 Nov 2012 6:35 PM (12 years ago)
Dedicated to the Passion Fruit plants, Fiji Post Limited issued a set of four stamps features these specific fruit on September 29, 2009. The species depicted on stamps are Passiflora foetida, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora maliformis.
The 20c stamp present fruit Passiflora foetida.
Passiflora foetida is a species of passion flower that is native to the southwestern United States , Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world
The stems are thin and wiry, covered with minute sticky yellow hairs. Older stems become woody. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. When crushed, these leaves give off a pungent odor that some people consider unpleasant.
The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5–6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2–3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds
Passiflora foetida contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents .
The 65c stamp present fruit Passiflora edulis.
Passiflora edulis is a vine species of passion flower that is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina .It is cultivated commercially in warmer, frost-free areas for its fruit and is widely grown in many countries.
Passiflora edulis is round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds.The fruit is both eaten and juiced; passion fruit juice is often added to other fruit juices to enhance the aroma.
Passiflora edulis is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fibre. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C),and good for people who have high blood pressure.Some research is showing that purple passion fruit peel may help with controlling asthma symptoms. The fruit contains Lycopene in the mature and immature pericarp .
The $1.20 stamp present fruit Passiflora maliformis.
Passiflora maliformis (Sweet calabash, Conch apple, Wild purple passionfruit or Sweet cup), is a smallish (2") passionfruit with purple, yellow or green skin and a grayed-yellow orange pulp that is aromatically scented and flavored. It is a fast growing vine, growing best in somewhat cooler than tropical climates.
The rind is particularly hard, and tougher than most passion fruits. It is usually grown from seeds, but may also be propagated by stem-cuttings. It is usually eaten fresh or used to flavor drinks. It is a native to the Caribbean, Central America and Northern South America.
The $2 stamp present other variety of Passiflora edulis, Purple Passion Fruit.
Several distinct varieties of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) with clearly differing exterior appearances exist. The bright yellow flavicarpa variety, also known as the Golden Passion Fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the Purple Passion Fruit in Australia.
The dark purple edulis variety is smaller than a lemon, though it is less acidic than the yellow passion fruit, and has a richer aroma and flavour. The purple varieties of the fruit have been found to contain traces of cyanogenic glycosides in the skin.
Unique flowers of Malaysia 19 Nov 2012 5:37 PM (12 years ago)
Malaysia Post pleased to launch a set of four stamps feature the unique flowers on October 9, 2008.
The issue stamps depicts the unique flowers of Malaysia, Kembang Songsang or Gloriosa superba, Goniothalamus tapis or Kenerak, Quisqualis indica or Akar dani, Michelia figo or Cempaka Pisang.
Kembang Songsang or Gloriosa superba is A scandent plant, climbing by leaftip tendrils. The perianth segments, which are accrescent during anthesis and become reflexed, are striking in color, yellow proximally and at margins and dark red in the median portion.
Gloriosa superba is the national flower of Zimbabwe and it is also the state flower of Tamil Nadu state in India, and was the national flower of Tamil Eelam. This is a species of the genus Gloriosa.
Gloriosa is a genus of ten species in the plant family Colchicaceae.They are native in tropical and southern Africa to Asia. They are tender, tuberous rooted deciduous perennials, adapted to summer rainfall with a dormant dry season.
Kenerak or Goniothalamus tapis is occur in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.It is a shrub or small tree that can reach up to measure 10 m tall.
The leaves are oblong to elliptical-oblong in shape, with a size measuring 15-27 cm x 6-12 cm. The base is rounded or slightly wedge-shaped, abruptly apex, shortly and bluntly acuminate and coriaceous.
The flowers are solitary or paired, axillary and sweet-scented. Goniothalamus tapis is a forest species of lower elevations, rather common in Peninsular Malaysia.
Akar dani or Quisqualis indica , also called the Rangoon Creeper is a vine with red flower clusters and is found in Asia. It is found in many other parts of the world either as a cultivated ornamental or run wild.
Quisqualis indica is a ligneous vine that can reach from 2.5 meters to up to 8 meters. Akar dani is found in thickets or secondary forests of the Philippines, India and Malaysia. It has since been cultivated and naturalized in tropical areas.
The plant is used as an herbal medicine. Decoctions of the root, seed or fruit can be used as antihelmintic to expel parasitic worms or for alleviating diarrhea. Fruit decoction can also be used for gargling. The fruits are also used to combat nephritis. Leaves can be used to relieve pain caused by fever. The roots are used to treat rheumatism.
The flowers are fragrant and tubular and their color varies from white to pink to red. The 30 to 35 mm long fruit is ellipsoidal and has five prominent wings. The fruit tastes like almonds when mature.
Cempaka Pisang or Michelia figo is an evergreen tree growing to 3-4 m tall. It is native to China.It grows in acid and alkaline soil very well. Susceptible to black soot.
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens for its fragrant flowers, which are cream-white, purple rounded, or light-purple, and strongly scented.
The leaves are leathery, dark glossy-green, up to 10 cm long. This plant is used in Shanghai, China, as a tall evergreen hedge. It grows to a large evergreen compact tree.
The Penny Bun of Iceland 18 Nov 2012 2:14 PM (12 years ago)
In the early November 2012, Iceland Post released one stamp following the sixth of Wild Mushroom stamp series.
The issue stamp depicts the penny bun (Boletus edulis). Boletus edulis, commonly known as penny bun, is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus.
The penny bun (Boletus edulis) is a large and fleshy pipe mushroom with a brown cap and white stem. It has a mild smell and a smooth nutty taste. The penny bun can often be found in old sunny birch woods or bushes.
It was first found in Vaglaskógur in the north of Iceland in 1960 and has since then been dicovered all over the country. The penny bun is among the most popular wild mushrooms in the world and is widely gathered in great quantities.
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