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Pink Pigeon
The pink pigeon (''Nesoenas mayeri'') is a species of pigeon in the family Columbidae Endemic (ecology), endemic to Mauritius. The pink pigeon nearly became extinct in the 1970s and the 1990s and is still very rare. It is the only Mascarene pigeon that has not become extinct. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust since 1977. While the population remains at below 500 birds as of 2011, the IUCN downlisted the species from Critically endangered to Endangered species, Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2000, and then downlisted it again to Vulnerable species, Vulnerable in 2018. Taxonomy and evolution Initially classified as a true pigeon, the pink pigeon was reclassified in a monotypic genus by Tommaso Salvadori. Recent DNA analyses suggest its nearest relative is the geographically close Malagasy turtle dove (''Streptopelia picturatus''), and it has th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Réunion Pink Pigeon
The Réunion pink pigeon (''Nesoenas mayeri duboisi'', but see below) is an extinct subspecies of pigeon that formerly lived on the Mascarene island of Réunion. It is known from the description of a rusty-red pigeon given by Dubois in 1674 and a single subfossil humerus that agrees with that of the pink pigeon of Mauritius in generic characteristics, except being slightly longer. Also, Dubois' reference to the bill being red at the base and the eyes being surrounded by a red ring suggest that this species was closely allied to the Mauritius taxon. Dubois' description was as follows: It is considered a subspecies of the pink pigeon. Its genus '' Nesoenas'' was often synonymized with ''Columba'' in the past, but more recently it has been synonymized with ''Streptopelia''. As the pink pigeon and the Malagasy turtle dove cannot be firmly placed in either of these two genera but apparently represent a distinct lineage that diverged early, probably from the ancestor of ''Streptop ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ÃŽle Aux Aigrettes
Ile aux Aigrettes is an islet off the south-east coast of Mauritius. It functions as a nature reserve and a scientific research station. It is also a popular visitors attraction—both for tourists and for Mauritians. Geography It has an area of and is the largest islet in the Grand Port bay, off the south-east coast of Mauritius and roughly a kilometer () from the coastal town of Mahebourg. It is low-lying and is formed from coral-limestone (unlike the majority of Mauritius which is from volcanic rock). Nature reserve and conservation ''Ile aux Aigrettes'' conserves the world's only remaining piece of Mauritius Dry Coastal Forest—a once plentiful vegetation type. It is therefore home to a large number of extremely rare or Endangered Species, endangered species of plants and animals. Over several hundred years, indigenous flora and fauna was devastated by logging and invasive species. In this sense, the islet shared the same fate as the rest of Mauritius. The Dodo and the ind ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Habitat Destruction
Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and species numbers. Habitat destruction is in fact the leading cause of biodiversity loss and species extinction worldwide. Humans contribute to habitat destruction through the use of natural resources, agriculture, industrial production and urbanization (urban sprawl). Other activities include mining, logging and trawling. Environmental factors can contribute to habitat destruction more indirectly. Geological processes, climate change, introduction of invasive species, ecosystem nutrient depletion, water and noise pollution are some examples. Loss of habitat can be preceded by an initial habitat fragmentation. Fragmentation and loss of habitat have become one of the most important topics of research in ecology as the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gizzard
The gizzard, also referred to as the ventriculus, gastric mill, and gigerium, is an organ found in the digestive tract of some animals, including archosaurs (birds and other dinosaurs, crocodiles, alligators, pterosaurs), earthworms, some gastropods, some fish, and some crustaceans. This specialized stomach constructed of thick muscular walls is used for grinding up food, often aided by particles of stone or grit. In certain insects and molluscs, the gizzard features chitinous plates or teeth. Etymology The word ''gizzard'' comes from the Middle English ''giser'', which derives from a similar word in Old French ''gésier'', which itself evolved from the Latin">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to talk of the beginnings of French, that is, when it wa ... ''gésier'', which itself evolved from the Latin ''gigeria'', meaning giblets. Structure In birds Birds swallow food and store it in their crop if necessary. Then the food passes into thei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leaf Litter
Plant litter (also leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, litterfall, or duff) is dead plant material (such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes) that has fallen to the ground. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituent nutrients are added to the top layer of soil, commonly known as the litter layer or O-horizon ("O" for "organic"). Litter is an important factor in ecosystem dynamics, as it is indicative of ecological productivity and may be useful in predicting regional nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Characteristics and variability Litterfall is characterized as fresh, undecomposed, and easily recognizable (by species and type) plant debris. This can be anything from leaves, cones, needles, twigs, bark, seeds/nuts, logs, or reproductive organs (e.g. the stamen of flowering plants). Items larger than 2 cm diameter are referred to as coarse litter, while anything smaller is referred to as fine litter or litter. The type of litterfall is m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pink Pigeon Image 004
Pink is a pale tint of red, the color of the pink flower. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, tenderness, sweetness, childhood, femininity, and romance. A combination of pink and white is associated with innocence, whereas a combination of pink and black links to eroticism and seduction. In the 21st century, pink is seen as a symbol of femininity, though it has not always been seen this way. In the 1920s, light red, which is similar to pink, was seen as a color that reflected masculinity. In nature and culture File:Color icon pink v2.svg, Various shades of pink File:Dianthus.jpg, The color pink takes its name from the flowers called pinks, members of the genus ''Dianthus''. File:Rosa Queen Elizabeth1ZIXIETTE.jpg, In most European languages, pink is known as ''rose'' or ''rosa'', after the rose flower. File:Cherry blo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crop Milk
Crop milk is a secretion from the lining of the crop of parent birds in some species that is regurgitated to young birds. It is found among all pigeons and doves where it is also referred to as pigeon milk. Crop milk is also secreted from the crop of flamingos and the male emperor penguin, suggesting independent evolution of this trait. Unlike in mammals where typically only females produce milk, crop milk is produced by both males and females in pigeons and flamingos; and in penguins, only by the male. Lactation in birds is controlled by prolactin, which is the same hormone that causes lactation in mammals. Crop milk is a holocrine secretion non- sex specific in response to brooding unlike in mammals where milk is an apocrine secretion. Crop milk contains both fat and protein, as with mammalian milk, but unlike mammalian milk, it contains no carbohydrates. Pigeon milk Crop milk bears little physical resemblance to mammalian milk, though in pigeons it is compositionally s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ligustrum Robustum
''Ligustrum robustum'' grows as a shrub or small tree up to tall though old specimens of more than a hundred years have been observed with a height of . The fruit of the shrub is an ellipsoid berry, bluish-purple when fully ripe, × . The shrub is native to South and Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam) but has become naturalized in other countries. It was introduced to Mauritius at the end of the 19th century and to La Réunion, where it has become a major invasive species. The Flora of China lists a "''Ligustrum'' ''robustum'' subsp. ''chinense'' P. S. Green" as native to China, but more recent publications have regarded that name as a synonym of '' L. expansum.'' ''Ligustrum robustum'' was nominated among 100 of the "World's Worst" invasive species. A moth ('' Epiplema albida''), and two coleoptera ('' Dermorhytis ornatissima'' and '' Dermorhytis lewisi'') are being tested for biological control programs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Privet
A privet is a flowering plant in the genus ''Ligustrum''. The genus contains about 50 species of erect, deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, with a native distribution from Europe to tropical and subtropical Asia, and with one species each native to Australia and north Africa. Some species have become widely naturalized or invasive where introduced. ''Privet'' was originally the name for the European semi-evergreen shrub '' Ligustrum vulgare'', and later also for the more reliably evergreen '' Ligustrum ovalifolium'' and its hybrid '' Ligustrum × ibolium'' used extensively for privacy hedging, though now the name is applied to all members of the genus. The generic name was applied by Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) to ''L. vulgare''. It is often suggested that the name ''privet'' is related to ''private'', but the Oxford English Dictionary states that there is no evidence to support this. Description Privet is a group of shrubs and small trees of southern and eastern Asia, fr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Psidium Cattleianum
''Psidium cattleyanum'' (World Plants: ''Psidium cattleianum''), commonly known as Cattley guava, strawberry guava or cherry guava, is a small tree ( tall) in the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. The species is named in honour of English horticulturist William Cattley. Its genus name ''Psidium'' comes from the Latin ''psidion'', or "armlet." The red-fruited variety, ''P. cattleyanum var. cattleyanum'', is commonly known as purple guava, red cattley guava, red strawberry guava and red cherry guava. The yellow-fruited variety, ''P. cattleyanum var. littorale'' is variously known as yellow cattley guava, yellow strawberry guava, yellow cherry guava, lemon guava and in Hawaii as ''waiawī''. Although ''P. cattleyanum'' has select economic uses,US Forest Service. (2016). Strawberry Guava: Not All Green Is Good. Pacific Southwest Research Station. it is considered the most invasive plant in Hawaii.Lowe S., Browne M., Boudjelas S., De Poorter M. (2000) ''100 of the World’s Worst Invasive A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges National Park is a national park in the hilly south-western part of Mauritius. It was proclaimed on June 15, 1994 and is managed by the National Parks and Conservation Service. It covers an area of 67.54 km2 including humid upland forest, drier lowland forest and marshy heathland. Facilities for visitors include two information centres, picnic areas and 60 kilometres of trails. There are four field stations in the park which are used for National Parks and Conservation Service and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation research and conservation projects. It is the largest national park in Mauritius. Wildlife The park protects most of the island's remaining rainforest although much of this has been degraded by introduced plants such as Chinese guava and privet and animals such as rusa deer and wild pigs. Several areas have been fenced off and invasive species have been eradicated from them to preserve native wildlife. Many endemic plants and animals still occur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reunion Island
Reunion may refer to: * Class reunion * Family reunion Reunion, Réunion, Re-union, Reunions or The Reunion may also refer to: Places * Réunion, a French overseas department and island in the Indian Ocean * Reunion, Commerce City, Colorado, US * Reunion, Florida, a resort neighborhood near Orlando, Florida, US * Holy Empire of Reunion, a Brazilian micronation that claims the French island as its territory * Reunion District, Dallas, US Architecture * Reunion Arena, an indoor arena in Dallas, Texas, US * Reunion Tower, a building in Dallas, Texas, US Arts and entertainment Literature * ''Reunion'' (Uhlman novel), a 1971 German-language novel by Fred Uhlman * ''Reunion'' (Foster novel), a 2001 science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster * ''Reunion'' (Cabot novel), a 2005 young-adult novel by Meg Cabot * "Reunion" (short story), a 1962 short story by John Cheever * ''Reunion'' (play), a play by David Mamet * ''Reunion'' (''Buffy'' comic), a 2002 comic book * "Reunion", ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
