National Geographic Daily News

Mo'orea Terrestrial Cubic Foot

  • Notes: Metrosiderous canopy, Location: Moorea, French Polynesia,

    A Cubic Foot of Tropical Forest

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    SPECIAL REPORT: BIODIVERSITY AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

    National Geographic photographer David Liittschwager photographed this Metrosiderous tree and all 58 species he found crawling, flying, or taking root in it. He and a team of scientists accounted for 49 arthropods, 2 reptiles, and 7 plant and fungus species.

    The forests of Mo‘orea are a combination of species introduced by the Polynesians and invasives introduced by European settlers, with a few scattered native species.

    "There was a nest of Technomyrmex ants close to the cube," Liittschwager says. "This non-native ant had surely suppressed the local native diversity."

    (See more of Liittschwager's photos from Mo‘orea.)

    --Tasha Eichenseher and David Liittschwager

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: Mitthyridium obtusifolium, Notes: just moss from 67,

    Moss

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: Mitthyridium obtusifolium

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: moss: Mitthyridium obtusifolium, fern: Davallia pectinata / Humata pectinata,

    Moss with Fern

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: moss: Mitthyridium obtusifolium, fern: Davallia pectinata/Humata pectinata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: juvenile lichen,

    Lichen

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: juvenile lichen

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: Davallia pectinata / Humata pectinata,

    Fern

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: Davallia pectinata/Humata pectinata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Notes: either Davallia solida var solida (tahitian name "Ti'ati'a mou'a") or Davallia denticulata var elata (tahitian name "Titi"),

    Fern

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: either Davallia solida var solida or Davallia denticulata var elata

    Tahitian Name: either Ti'ati'a mou'a or Titi

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: Dendrobium biflorum, Notes: Endemic to French Polynesia. Tahitian names you can find in bibliography are "mave" and "ofe ofe/ ohe ohe" (these names are also used, and preferentially used, for 2 other species nowadays, Anthrophyum plantagineum and Centotheca lappacea),

    Plant

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: Dendrobium biflorum

    Tahitian Name: mave and ofe ofe/ohe ohe

    Notes: Endemic to French Polynesia. The Tahitian names are also used for two other species nowadays--Anthrophyum plantagineum and Centotheca lappacea

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: Eria rostriflora, Notes: Endemic to eastern Polynesia, Tahitian name found in bibliography is "oa",

    eria rostriflora

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Scientific Name: Eria rostriflora

    Tahitian Name: oa

    Notes: Endemic to eastern Polynesia

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Scientific Name: Metrosideros collina var collina, Notes: Native. Tahitian names are Puarata/Rata in the Society and the Australs, Heua/Feua in the Marquesas,

    Flowering Shrub

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Springfire

    Scientific Name: Metrosideros collina var collina

    Tahitian Name: Puarata/Rata

    Notes: Native species to Mo'orea

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Inland Blue-tailed Skink, Scientific Name: Emoia impar,

    Skink

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Inland Blue-tailed Skink

    Scientific Name: Emoia impar

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: mourning gecko, Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris,

    Gecko

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: mourning gecko

    Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Pilaria emerald moth, Scientific Name: Thalassodes pilaria, Magnification: 1x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Pilaria emerald moth

    Scientific Name: Thalassodes pilaria

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Lunulifera moth, Scientific Name: Anatrachyntis lunulifera, Magnification: 4x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Lunulifera moth

    Scientific Name: Anatrachyntis lunulifera

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Cleora moth, Scientific Name: Cleora sp., Magnification: 1x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Cleora moth

    Scientific Name: Cleora sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Imma moth, Scientific Name: Imma semiclara, Magnification: 2.5x, Notes: _MG_8540-42_specimen_22_stack,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Imma moth

    Scientific Name: Imma semiclara

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Tineid moth, Scientific Name: tineid sp.2, Magnification: 5x, Notes: _MG_8857-58-59-61_Specimen_30_stack_1,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Tineid moth

    Scientific Name: tineid sp.2

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Tineid moth, Scientific Name: new species, Magnification: 3.3x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Tineid moth

    Scientific Name: new species

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Signiferalis moth, Scientific Name: Piletocera signiferalis, Magnification: 1.5x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Signiferalis moth

    Scientific Name: Piletocera signiferalis

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Almond moth, Scientific Name: Cadra cautella, Magnification: 2.5x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Almond moth

    Scientific Name: Cadra cautella

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: White plume moth, Scientific Name: Alucita sp., Magnification: 3x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: White plume moth

    Scientific Name: Alucita sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: White plume moth, Scientific Name: Alucita sp., Magnification: 3x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: White plume moth

    Scientific Name: Alucita sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Asymphorodes moth, Scientific Name: Asymphorodes sp., Magnification: 4x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Asymphorodes moth

    Scientific Name: Asymphorodes sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Leafminer moth, Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.3, Magnification: 3x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Leafminer moth

    Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Leafminer moth, Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.3, Magnification: 2.3x,

    Moth

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Leafminer moth

    Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.3

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: snail, Scientific Name: cf. Ovachlamys fulgens, Magnification: 5x, Notes: _MG_9190,

    Snail

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: snail

    Scientific Name: cf. Ovachlamys fulgens

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: snail, Scientific Name: probably an achatinellid in the subfamily Tornatellininae, Magnification: 5x, Notes: _MG_9077,

    Snail

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: snail

    Scientific Name: probably an achatinellid in the subfamily Tornatellininae

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Granulate millipede, Scientific Name: Glyphiulus granulatus, Magnification: 2.3x,

    Millipede

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Granulate millipede

    Scientific Name: Glyphiulus granulatus

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Flat-backed millipede, Long-flange milliped, Scientific Name: Asiomorpha coarctata, Magnification: 1x,

    Millipede

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Flat-backed millipede, Long-flange milliped

    Scientific Name: Asiomorpha coarctata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Trigoniulid millipede, Scientific Name: prob. Leptogoniulus sorornus, Magnification: 1x,

    Millipede

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Trigoniulid millipede

    Scientific Name: probably Leptogoniulus sorornus

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: pseudoscorpion, Scientific Name: Geogarypus longidigitatus, Magnification: 5x,

    Scorpion

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: pseudoscorpion

    Scientific Name: Geogarypus longidigitatus

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Tahitian hackled orb weaver, Scientific Name: Tangaroa tahitiensis, Magnification: 2.3,

    Weaver

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Tahitian hackled orb weaver

    Scientific Name: Tangaroa tahitiensis

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Jumping spider, Scientific Name: Athamas sp., Magnification: 4x,

    Spider

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Jumping spider

    Scientific Name: Athamas sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: spider, Scientific Name: Clubiona sp., Magnification: 5x,

    Spider

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: spider

    Scientific Name: Clubiona sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: spider, Magnification: 4x,

    Spider

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: spider

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Spider, Scientific Name: Leucauge sp., Magnification: 2x,

    Spider

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Spider

    Scientific Name: Leucauge sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito, Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts, Magnification: 1.6x,

    Mosquito

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito

    Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito, Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts, Magnification: 2x,

    Mosquito

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito

    Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Digger wasp, Scientific Name: Pison irridipennis, Magnification: 2.5x,

    Wasp

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Digger wasp

    Scientific Name: Pison irridipennis

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Green hover fly, Scientific Name: Ornidia obesa, Magnification: 1x,

    Fly

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Green hover fly

    Scientific Name: Ornidia obesa

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Flesh fly, Scientific Name: Sarcophaga (Tolucamyia) or (Neobelliaria) sp., Magnification: 1.6x,

    Fly

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Flesh fly

    Scientific Name: SarcophagaTolucamyia or Neobelliaria sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Atherigona house fly, Scientific Name: Atherigona (orientalis?), Magnification: 3x,

    Fly

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Atherigona house fly

    Scientific Name: Atherigona orientalis (?)

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Fringed Palm Aphid, Scientific Name: Cerataphis lataniae, Magnification: 5x,

    fringed palm aphid

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Fringed Palm Aphid, Scientific Name: Cerataphis lataniae, Magnification: 5x,

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Lunulata woodlouse, Scientific Name: Echmepteryx lunulata, Magnification: 5x,

    Woodlouse

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Lunulata woodlouse

    Scientific Name: Echmepteryx lunulata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Lusia woodlouse, Scientific Name: Nepticulomima lusiae, Magnification: 5x,

    Woodlouse

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Lusia woodlouse

    Scientific Name: Nepticulomima lusiae

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Gump's woodlouse (immature), Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi, Magnification: 5x,

    Woodlouse

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Gump's woodlouse (immature)

    Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Gump's woodlouse, Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi, Magnification: 5x,

    Woodlouse

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Gump's woodlouse

    Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Nylandaria ant queen, Scientific Name: Nylandaria vaga?, Magnification: 3x,

    Ant

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Nylandaria ant queen

    Scientific Name: Nylandaria vaga (?)

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Ghost Ant, Scientific Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum, Magnification: 5x,

    Ant

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Ghost Ant

    Scientific Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Pacific tetramorium ant, Scientific Name: Tetramorium pacificum,

    Ant

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Pacific tetramorium ant

    Scientific Name: Tetramorium pacificum

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Technomyrmex ant, Scientific Name: Technomyrmex sp., Magnification: 5x,

    Ant

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Technomyrmex ant

    Scientific Name: Technomyrmex sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Queensland Pine Borer, Scientific Name: Calymmaderus incisus, Magnification: 5x,

    Borer

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Queensland Pine Borer

    Scientific Name: Calymmaderus incisus

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Pallax seed bug, Scientific Name: Neocrompus pallax, Magnification: 5x,

    Bug

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Pallax seed bug

    Scientific Name: Neocrompus pallax

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Pallipes click beetle, Scientific Name: Conoderus pallipes, Magnification: 1.9x,

    Beetle

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Pallipes click beetle

    Scientific Name: Conoderus pallipes

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: False Blister Beetle, Scientific Name: Ananca kanack, Magnification: 2x,

    Beetle

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: False Blister Beetle

    Scientific Name: Ananca kanack

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: longhorned beetle, Scientific Name: Ceresium unicolor, Magnification: 1x,

    Beetle

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: longhorned beetle

    Scientific Name: Ceresium unicolor

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Spotted roach, Scientific Name: Balta notulata, Magnification: 1x,

    Roach

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Spotted roach

    Scientific Name: Balta notulata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Spotted roach, Scientific Name: Balta notulata, Magnification: 2x,

    Roach

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Spotted roach

    Scientific Name: Balta notulata

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Paronellid springtail, Scientific Name: Salina celebensis, Magnification: 5x,

    Springtail

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Paronellid springtail

    Scientific Name: Salina celebensis

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: cricket, Scientific Name: undetermined sp., Magnification: 2.5x,

    Cricket

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: cricket

    Scientific Name: undetermined sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Tropical house cricket, Scientific Name: Ornebius novarae, Magnification: 1x,

    Cricket

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Tropical house cricket

    Scientific Name: Ornebius novarae

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: green katydid, Scientific Name: undetermined sp., Magnification: .33x, Notes: _MG_8833,

    Katydid

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: green katydid

    Scientific Name: undetermined sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Atylana Plant Hopper, Scientific Name: Atylana sp., Magnification: 5x,

    Hopper

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Atylana Plant Hopper

    Scientific Name: Atylana sp.

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: orobatid mite, Magnification: 5x,

    Mite

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: orobatid mite

    Published February 23, 2011

  • Common Name: Miocallus weevil, Scientific Name: Miocalles vagus, Magnification: 5x,

    Weevil

    Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic

    Common Name: Miocallus weevil

    Scientific Name: Miocalles vagus

    Published February 23, 2011

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