Species Presentation: Zaglossus attenboroughi

Taxonomy and Classification

Phylogenic Tree

Sir David's Long-Beaked Echidna's Timeline

1998

Zaglossus attenboroughi belongs to the genus Zaglossus in the family Tachyglossidae. It is one of the three extant species of long-beaked echidnas and is closely related to the short-beaked echidnas.

Zaglossus

bartoni

Habitat and Adaptations

Zaglossus

bartoni

Actinopterygii

Amphibia

50 Million

Years Ago

30-40 Million

Years Ago

Archaea

Zaglossus

bruijni

Ornithorn-chidae

Cephalochordata

Tachyglossus

Agnata

Chodrichthyes

Aves

(Birds)

Zaglossus

bruijni

Ornithorynchidae

Tachyglossus

220-250 Million Years Ago

Reproductive Traits

Zaglossus

attenboroughi

Eukarya

Tachyglos-sidae

Zaglossus

Monotremata

Animalia

Protherian

Bilateria

Tetropoda

Deuterostomia

Gnatho-stomata

Vertebrata

Mammilia

Sir David's long-beaked echidna lives in the dense forests of New Guinea.

It has developed claws for digging and an ability to detect prey through electroreception, like other echidnas.

It has a specialized tongue for feeding, but it's diet in the wild is mostly unknown. It's speculated to be earthworms, termites, and ants.

Zaglossus

attenboroughi

Monotremata

Zaglossus

Tachyglossidae

Bacteria

Fungi

Therian

Sarcipteryghi

Urochordata

Reptilia

Protostomia

Raidata

Family

Order

Species

Genus

Morphology

Plantae

Only one specimen has been found up to date, so it's unknown how these animals reproduce.

The breeding cycle, number of offspring, and gestation period is all unknown. Scientists think that the reproductive behavior may be similar to that of other Zaglossus species. If this is correct, it would reproduce by laying a singular egg which will eventually hatch a puggle (baby echidna) which will be born into a burrow created by the echidna to protect against predators. This would make it a K-species, like other echidnas.

Protista

Discovery and Naming

Monera

(Prokaryotes)

Zaglossus attenboroughi is a distinctive species with spines covering its body and a size comparable

to a small dog. It's smaller size and

straighter beak seperate it from other

long- beaked echidnas.

The long beaked echidna has an elongated,

specialized snout, presumably for snacking on

invertabrates.

Zaglossus attenboroughi was first described in 1998 by researchers who identified it as a distinct species based on morphological and genetic characteristics. The species was named after Sir David Attenborough to recognize his dedication to natural history documentaries and conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of public awareness and education in species preservation.

Cultural Signicance

In some communities in the Cyclops Mountains, disputes are sometimes resolved over a meal of echidna.

Other times people have the choice to find an echinda in the mountains or pay a fine as a punishment.

Threats to the Species

All long-beaked echidnas are threatened by hunting with the use of hunting dogs, as they're able to detect and follow them.

Habitat degradition is thought to be less of a concern, but it could increase the likelidhood of hunting the animals. The local people in the Cyclops Range seem to be the most concerning threat.

Fun Facts

Sir David Attenborough has over 40 species named after him. He has narrated over 100 documentaries.

Knuckles from Sonic is an echidna. So he's more related to Perry the Platypus than Sonic the Hedgehog.

Species Presentation: Zaglossus attenboroughi

Z. is for Zombie

The Z. attenboroughi was thought to be extinct until 2023 when scientists captured a video of it.

Will it survive?

Conservation Efforts

Sources

https://www.fws.gov/taxonomic-tree/2173986

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zaglossus_attenboroughi/

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/136322/21964353

https://www.onezoom.org/life/@Euteleostomi=114654?vis=polytomy&otthome=%40Zaglossus_attenboroughi%3D3615204#x2269,y304,w4.5262

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67363874

Given it's classification of critically endangered, it's ellusive nature, and the hunting of the Cyclops Community, I do not thing my species will survive as time continues on.

While it's suspected food sources and other resources are sustainable, only one Sir David's Long-beaked Echinda has been captured. This limits the ability to provide strong preservation strategies, which I fear will lead to the continous decline of the species. Especially considering it was already thought to be exinct.

Conservation Efforts

A Deep Dive into Sir David Attenborough's Long Beaked Echidna

The area where the singular Z. attenboroughi was found is declared a reserve.

There are efforts of spreading awareness about the species, as well as attempts to monitor poplution trends and threats to the area.

These efforts are included in international legislation.