What striking wildlife form mostly endemic to a large island gets its name from specimens prepared by traders without wings and feet lending to a belief that they are creatures that originated in an other-worldly place?
Bird-of-paradise destruction due to deforestation is now the predominant threat. Best known are the members of the genus "Paradisaea", including the type species, the greater bird-of-paradise, "Paradisaea apoda". This species was described from specimens brought back to Europe from trading expeditions in the early sixteenth century. These specimens had been prepared by native traders by removing their wings and feet so that they could be used as decorations. This was not known to the explorers, and in the absence of information many beliefs arose about them. They were briefly thought to be the mythical phoenix. The often footless and wingless condition
Endemic Maltese wildlife Endemic Maltese wildlife An endemic organism is said to be found only in certain areas of the world. This makes the organism in some cases endangered. The Maltese Islands, although small in area (316 km²), host a large number of endemic species, some of which are unique and unusual. These endemic species are important to the Maltese Islands because they form part of Maltese national heritage and are topics of scientific research. Of the 10,000 estimated terrestrial and freshwater specimens in the Maltese archipelago, 78 species are endemic, a very good number considering the country's area. Only 4,500 species have