#pbertner

[ronbeckdesigns]

Polk-a-dot treefrog (Hypsiboas punctatus) by pbertner on Flickr. Lowland Amazonian rainforest, Manu national park, Peru.

(via Pinterest: Discover and save creative ideas)

[ronbeckdesigns]

Usumbara Peacock Tree Frog (Leptopelis vermiculatus) by pbertner on Flickr.

(via Pinterest: Discover and save creative ideas)

[ronbeckdesigns]

Usumbara Peacock Tree Frog (Leptopelis vermiculatus) by pbertner on Flickr

(via Pinterest: Discover and save creative ideas)

[sun-stones]

Green chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) by pbertner on Flickr.

[animalworld]

BIG-NOSE CHAMELEON Calluma nasutum ©pbertner (his blog)

One of the smallest of the arboreal chameleons, the big-nosed chameleon is named for the large, paddle-like appendage which projects from the nose region. This flexible appendage is larger and more square-shaped on males, and is believed to be used to recognize potential mates.

Male big-nosed chameleons can also be distinguished by the more pronounced casque, a bony head crest. The skin of both sexes is usually a shade of brown, reddish-brown, tan, or light green, with females not receptive to mating rapidly developing a striking display of whitish-blue to turquoise spots on top of the head and on the sides of the nasal appendage. Like other chameleons, this big-nosed species has a prehensile tail, fused toes, distinctive turret-like eyes and an impressively long tongue.

Fact: http://www.arkive.org/big-nosed-chameleon/calumma-nasutum/

Other posts:

Leaf-Nosed Chameleon

Mountain Chameleon

Giant Leaf-Tailed Gecko

[animalworld]

Parasitized SEVEN-SPOT LADYBIRD Coccinella septempunctata ©pbertner

The ladybird pictured has been stung and partially paralyzed (probably by the wasp Perilitus coccinellae). The wasp laid an egg inside the beetle. The grub hatched developed within, eating many of the ladybird's internal organs. When developed the grub ate its way out of the ladybird's body. Usually the parasite's relationship ends there, however, in this case, the ladybird stands guard for a week or more without any food or water while protecting the pupating wasp! When the wasp emerges, it flies away. Even with all of this, when the paralytic wears off a quarter of the ladybirds still survive.

A lot of parasitic wasps sting insects and leave their offspring to feed to adulthood on their host, but the coccinellae takes the process one step further.

The grub emerges from the still partially paralyzed ladybird and spins a silken cocoon between the ladybird’s legs (shown above). Since the ladybird can’t move, it remains in place and unwittingly protects the cocoon (for a week or so), as it transforms into an adult.

The ladybirds warning colors, of red and black, help to deter would-be predators, and it twitches erratically if threats draw near.

The drama ends when the adult wasp emerges from the cocoon and flies away leaving its host to die of starvation—or not.

Fact Source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com

Other photos you may enjoy:

Lacewing Larvae - canny camouflage and Australian Lacewing Larvae

Seven Spotted Ladybug Cluster

Another parasitic wasp - Emerald Cockroach Wasp

[animalworld]

GREEN VINE SNAKE — by request a example of convergent evolution Oxybelis brevirostris ©pbertner

Oxybelis is a genus of colubrid snakes known commonly as Vine Snakes. They are found through Central America, to the northern countries of South America. Though similar in appearance to the Asian species of vine snake of the genus Ahaetulla, they are not related, and are an example of convergent evolution.

Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.

The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxybelis

Other posts:

Jameson’s Mamba

Albino Rattlesnake

Boelyn Python

[animalworld]

JEWELED CATERPILLAR Family: Dalceridae ©pbertner

It looks like a gummy bear caterpillar!

The slug-like caterpillar of a dalcerid moth (family Dalceridae). These rare caterpillars are covered with sticky, gellatinous tubercles. Peruvian Amazon.

Caterpillars of the dalcerid moth Dalcera abrasa, a common pest of coffee plants, have also been found to feed on Qualea, which is a flowering plant genus in the family Vochysiaceae. These plants occur in the Neotropics and their wood makes good timber and firewood and is used in construction.

Fact Sources: http://dbpedia.org/page/Qualea http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/372324/enlarge

Other posts you might like:

Crowned Slug Caterpillar

Pale Tussock Caterpillar

Tufted Costa Rican Caterpillar

Hag Moth Caterpillar