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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
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Moss
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Scientific Name: Mitthyridium obtusifolium
Published February 23, 2011
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Moss with Fern
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Scientific Name: moss: Mitthyridium obtusifolium, fern: Davallia pectinata/Humata pectinata
Published February 23, 2011
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Lichen
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: juvenile lichen
Published February 23, 2011
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Fern
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Scientific Name: Davallia pectinata/Humata pectinata
Published February 23, 2011
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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
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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
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eria rostriflora
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Scientific Name: Eria rostriflora
Tahitian Name: oa
Notes: Endemic to eastern Polynesia
Published February 23, 2011
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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
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Skink
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Inland Blue-tailed Skink
Scientific Name: Emoia impar
Published February 23, 2011
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Gecko
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: mourning gecko
Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Pilaria emerald moth
Scientific Name: Thalassodes pilaria
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Lunulifera moth
Scientific Name: Anatrachyntis lunulifera
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Cleora moth
Scientific Name: Cleora sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Imma moth
Scientific Name: Imma semiclara
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Tineid moth
Scientific Name: tineid sp.2
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Tineid moth
Scientific Name: new species
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Signiferalis moth
Scientific Name: Piletocera signiferalis
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Almond moth
Scientific Name: Cadra cautella
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: White plume moth
Scientific Name: Alucita sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: White plume moth
Scientific Name: Alucita sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Asymphorodes moth
Scientific Name: Asymphorodes sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Leafminer moth
Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Moth
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Leafminer moth
Scientific Name: gracillariid sp.3
Published February 23, 2011
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Snail
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: snail
Scientific Name: cf. Ovachlamys fulgens
Published February 23, 2011
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Snail
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: snail
Scientific Name: probably an achatinellid in the subfamily Tornatellininae
Published February 23, 2011
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Millipede
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Granulate millipede
Scientific Name: Glyphiulus granulatus
Published February 23, 2011
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Millipede
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Flat-backed millipede, Long-flange milliped
Scientific Name: Asiomorpha coarctata
Published February 23, 2011
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Millipede
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Trigoniulid millipede
Scientific Name: probably Leptogoniulus sorornus
Published February 23, 2011
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Scorpion
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: pseudoscorpion
Scientific Name: Geogarypus longidigitatus
Published February 23, 2011
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Weaver
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Tahitian hackled orb weaver
Scientific Name: Tangaroa tahitiensis
Published February 23, 2011
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Spider
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Jumping spider
Scientific Name: Athamas sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Spider
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: spider
Scientific Name: Clubiona sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Spider
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: spider
Published February 23, 2011
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Spider
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Spider
Scientific Name: Leucauge sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Mosquito
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito
Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts
Published February 23, 2011
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Mosquito
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Asian Tiger Mosquito
Scientific Name: Aedes albopicuts
Published February 23, 2011
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Wasp
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Digger wasp
Scientific Name: Pison irridipennis
Published February 23, 2011
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Fly
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Green hover fly
Scientific Name: Ornidia obesa
Published February 23, 2011
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Fly
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Flesh fly
Scientific Name: SarcophagaTolucamyia or Neobelliaria sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Fly
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Atherigona house fly
Scientific Name: Atherigona orientalis (?)
Published February 23, 2011
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fringed palm aphid
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Fringed Palm Aphid, Scientific Name: Cerataphis lataniae, Magnification: 5x,
Published February 23, 2011
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Woodlouse
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Lunulata woodlouse
Scientific Name: Echmepteryx lunulata
Published February 23, 2011
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Woodlouse
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Lusia woodlouse
Scientific Name: Nepticulomima lusiae
Published February 23, 2011
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Woodlouse
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Gump's woodlouse (immature)
Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi
Published February 23, 2011
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Woodlouse
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Gump's woodlouse
Scientific Name: Echmepteryx gumpi
Published February 23, 2011
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Ant
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Nylandaria ant queen
Scientific Name: Nylandaria vaga (?)
Published February 23, 2011
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Ant
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Ghost Ant
Scientific Name: Tapinoma melanocephalum
Published February 23, 2011
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Ant
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Pacific tetramorium ant
Scientific Name: Tetramorium pacificum
Published February 23, 2011
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Ant
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Technomyrmex ant
Scientific Name: Technomyrmex sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Borer
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Queensland Pine Borer
Scientific Name: Calymmaderus incisus
Published February 23, 2011
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Bug
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Pallax seed bug
Scientific Name: Neocrompus pallax
Published February 23, 2011
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Beetle
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Pallipes click beetle
Scientific Name: Conoderus pallipes
Published February 23, 2011
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Beetle
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: False Blister Beetle
Scientific Name: Ananca kanack
Published February 23, 2011
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Beetle
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: longhorned beetle
Scientific Name: Ceresium unicolor
Published February 23, 2011
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Roach
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Spotted roach
Scientific Name: Balta notulata
Published February 23, 2011
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Roach
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Spotted roach
Scientific Name: Balta notulata
Published February 23, 2011
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Springtail
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Paronellid springtail
Scientific Name: Salina celebensis
Published February 23, 2011
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Cricket
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: cricket
Scientific Name: undetermined sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Cricket
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Tropical house cricket
Scientific Name: Ornebius novarae
Published February 23, 2011
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Katydid
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: green katydid
Scientific Name: undetermined sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Hopper
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Atylana Plant Hopper
Scientific Name: Atylana sp.
Published February 23, 2011
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Mite
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: orobatid mite
Published February 23, 2011
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Weevil
Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic
Common Name: Miocallus weevil
Scientific Name: Miocalles vagus
Published February 23, 2011
Special Report: Island Life
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"Bar Coding" an Entire Ecosystem
Scientists cataloging the genetic makeup of Mo'orea's species turns the island into a biodiversity lab.
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Photos: Science Meets Tradition
Waves of exploration have washed over Mo'orea, altering cultures, landscapes, and biodiversity research in profound ways.
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Tropical Island Infinite Photo
Our new infinite photograph features the diversity of marine and terrestrial life found on and near Mo'orea and in Biocode Project labs.
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A Culture Written in Stone and Soil
Archeologists and farmers tell the gritty story of French Polynesia.
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A Cubic Foot of Tropical Forest
See what crawls, flies, and sets roots down in a cubic foot of Mo'orea's mountain trees.
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Documenting Polynesian Tradition
Elders start to work with scientists on preserving the biodiversity of Mo’orea.
Advertisement
National Geographic Magazine
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What's in a Cubic Foot
Edward O. Wilson writes about the surprising number of organisms you'll find in a cube of soil or sea.
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Video: Marine Cubic Foot
Photographer David Liittschwager documents his work off the coast of Mo'orea.
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Blog: Nature's Fashion Show
With their eye-catching colors, many creatures could inspire the most particular designer.
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