Kingdoms of Life - Legend

Animalia

  1. Takifugu rubripes – Blowfish 
  2. Uca heteropleura – Fiddler crab 
  3. Asterias rubens – Starfish 
  4. Cyanea lamarckii – Jellyfish 
  5. Ambystoma mexicanum – Axolotl 
  6. Eunectes murinus – Anaconda 
  7. Seriatopora hystrix – Coral   
  8. Acinonyx jubatus – Cheetah      
  9. Chelonia mydas – Sea turtle 
  10. Apis mellifer – Honey bee
  11. Phoenicopterus ruber – Flamingo     
  12. Aporrectodea rosea – Rosy-tipped earthworm
  13. Danaus plexippus – Monarch butterfly    
  14. Tursiops truncatus – Dolphin 
  15. Pandalus borealis – Shrimp 
  16. Paracentrotus lividus – Sea urchin   
  17. Dendrobates tinctorius “azureus” – Frog 
  18. Pieris rapae – Cabbage butterfly    
  19. Amphiprion ocellaris – Clownfish 
  20. Scolopendra cingulata – Centipede   
  21. Morpho menelaus – Caterpillar & Butterfly 
  22. Ara macao – Scarlet macaw    
  23. Hippocampus zosterae – Dwarf Seahorse 
  24. Balanoglossus gigas 
  25. Anas platyrhynchos – Mallard and ducklings     
  26. Felis catus – Cat     
  27. Chrysuronia goudoti – Hummingbird 
  28. Taenia saginata – Tapeworm   
  29. Tamiasciurus hudsonicus – Squirrel     
  30. Balaenoptera musculus – Blue whale      
  31. Ascaris lumbricoides – Roundworm 
  32. Loxodonta cyclotis – Elephant     
  33. Pteropus alecto – Bat     
  34. Rattus norvegicus – Rat     
  35. Deroceras cecconii – Slug 
  36. Bombus impatiens – Bumble Bee   

Fungi

  1. Mycelium 
  2. Amanita muscaria – Fly Agaric
  3. Penicillium chrysogenum (green mold & microscopic) 
  4. Fungal Spores
  5. Flavoparmelia caperata – Common greenshield lichen
  6. Pleurotus ostreatus – Oyster mushroom 
  7. Aspergillus – (black mold & microscopic) 
  8. Entoloma murrayi – Yellow Unicorn Entoloma 
  9. Microsporum 
  10. Ganoderma lucidum – Reishi 
  11. Chlorovibrissea phialophora
  12. Morchella esculenta – Morel 
  13. Flammulina filiformis – Enoki
  14. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis – Zombie ant fungus 
  15. Cantharellus cibarius – Chanterelle
  16. Claviceps purpurea – Ergot
  17. Boletus edulis – Porcini
  18. Rhizopus stolonifer
  19. Saccharomyces cerevisiae – Baker’s yeast

 

Plantae

  1. Pteridium aquilinum – fiddlehead and fronds
  2. Bellis perennis – common daisy
  3. Pinus palustris – longleaf pine
  4. Ulva fasciata
  5. Strobilus  – pinecone
  6. Hydrodictyon – water net
  7. Dunaliella salina
  8. Syntrichia ruralis – star moss
  9. Marchantia polymorpha
  10. Fabaceae family – beans
  11. Triticum aestivum – common wheat
  12. Lobularia maritima
  13. Hornwort Ceratophyllum = coontail 
  14. Colocasia – elephant ears
  15. Ginkgo biloba
  16. Helianthus annuus – common sunflower
  17. Cycas clivicola
  18. Convallaria majalis – lily of the valley
  19. Aloe vera barbadensis miller
  20. Soleirolia soleirolii – baby’s tears
  21. Ephedra distachya – somlatha
  22. Craspedia – billy buttons
  23. Aloe vera var.chinensis
  24. Lycopodium clavatum
  25. Nepenthes muluensis – pitcher-plant
  26. Ranunculus  – Buttercup
  27. Prunus serrulata – Japanese cherry
  28. Alonsoa meridionalis
  29. Trifolium repens – four-leaf clover
  30. Monstera deliciosa – Swiss cheese plant
  31. Egeria densa – Brazilian waterweed

Protista

  1. Macrocystis pyrifera
  2. Fuligo septica
  3. Naegleria fowleri
  4. Paramecium aurelia
  5. Amoeba proteus 
  6. Gonyaulax spinifera
  7. Chondrus crispus
  8. Plasmodium malariae
  9. Cyanidiophyceae
  10. Giardia lamblia 

Bacteria

  1. Clostridium tetani
  2. Vibrio cholera
  3. Legionella pneumophila
  4. Streptococcus thermophilus
  5. Treponema pallidum
  6. Lactobacillus
  7. Clostridium botulinum
  8. Escherichia coli
  9. Bifidobacterium
  10. Streptobacillus monoliformis
  11. Staphylococcus aureus
  12. Streptococcus pharyngitus
  13. Gonococcus
  14. Helicobacter
  15. Pseudomonas fluorescens 
  16. Magnetospirillum
  17. Campylobacter
  18. Deinococcus radiodurans
  19. Listeria

Archaea

  1. Methanococcoides burtonii
  2. Ignicoccus & Nanoarchaeum equitans
  3. Thermococcus gammatolerans
  4. Pyrococcus furiosus
  5. Haloquadratum walsbyi
  6. Methanobrevibacter
  7. Methanococcus
  8. Staphylothermus marinus
  9. Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum

Kingdoms of Life - Fun Facts

Animalia

Blowfish: Contains tetrodotoxin, 1,200x more toxic than cyanide, requiring trained chefs in Japan.

Fiddler Crab: Some crabs, like Coconut Crabs, climb trees to eat coconuts.

Starfish: Can regenerate lost limbs; some regrow an entire body from one arm.

Jellyfish: Over 500 million years old, surviving multiple extinctions.

Axolotl: Regrows limbs, spine, heart, and organs, studied for human medicine.

Anaconda: One of the heaviest snakes, reaching 30+ feet, and great swimmers.

Coral: Produces natural sunscreen (MAAs) with skincare potential.

Cheetah: The only big cat that can turn mid-air while sprinting.

Sea Turtle: Some turtles breathe through their butts underwater.

Honey Bee: Uses a “waggle dance” to communicate food locations.

Flamingo: Sleeps on one leg using a knee-locking mechanism.

Earthworm: Aerates soil, aids carbon storage, and combats climate change.

Monarch Butterfly: Migrates 2,500 miles annually.

Dolphin: Uses unique whistles as names and remembers them for years.

Shrimp: Sees 16 color variations, including ultraviolet.

Sea Urchin: Has teeth strong enough to drill through rock.

Frog: Some species freeze solid in winter and thaw back to life.

Cabbage Butterfly: Tastes with its feet to check plants for egg-laying.

Clownfish: Changes gender when the dominant female dies.

Centipede: Some species live up to 6 years.

Morpho Butterfly: Its blue color comes from light reflection, not pigment.

Scarlet Macaw: Expert mimic, imitating human voices and sounds.

Dwarf Seahorse: Survives in both seawater and brackish water.

Balanoglossus: Uses a proboscis to catch tiny food particles.

Mallard Ducklings: Survive 50-foot falls unharmed.

Cat: Forms strong bonds with owners, like dogs do.

Hummingbird: Hovers using a figure-eight wing motion.

Tapeworm: Adapts body shape to different hosts.

Squirrel: Communicates with chirps, clicks, and tail movements.

Blue Whale: Largest animal ever, up to 100 feet and 200 tons.

Roundworm: Can enter suspended animation for decades.

Elephant: Recognizes itself in mirrors, showing self-awareness.

Bat: Only flying mammal, reaching 99 mph and traveling 1,000 miles.

Rat: Trained for detecting landmines, diagnosing TB, and playing games.

Slug: Can detach and regrow its head.

Bumblebee: Pollinates one-third of global crops.

Fungi

Mycelium: A subterranean fungal network, the “wood wide web,” exchanging nutrients and signals with plants.

Fly Agaric: Shoots spores like a water gun instead of releasing them into the air.

Penicillium: Produces penicillin and a compound that smells like fresh bread.

Fungal Spores: Survive radiation, space travel, and even help form raindrops.

Lichen: Absorbs pollution, serving as a natural air quality indicator.

Oyster Mushroom: Breaks down petroleum, aiding oil spill cleanup.

Aspergillus: Named after a holy water sprinkler due to its shape.

Yellow Unicorn Entoloma: Discovered in 2014, found in only one UK location.

Microsporum: Causes ringworm and glows under UV light.

Reishi: Once reserved for Chinese royalty as the “mushroom of immortality.”

Green Bubble Gum Fungus: An aquatic mushroom resembling sticky gum.

Morel: Once believed to appear where lightning struck.

Enoki: Can grow even in snow.

Zombie Ant Fungus: Controls ant behavior before growing out of their heads.

Chanterelle: Once used as currency in some cultures.

Ergot: Produces lysergic acid, the precursor to LSD, used in ancient rituals.

Porcini: So popular in Italy, it has its own festival.

Bread Mold: Doubles in size in just 8 hours.

Baker’s Yeast: Grew normally in space but produced more alcohol than on Earth.

Plantae

Fiddlehead Ferns: Edible young fronds rich in omega-3 and omega-6.

Daisy: Used for pain relief, digestion, and wound healing.

Longleaf Pine: Needles grow up to 18 inches to conserve water.

Green Algae: Found on tree bark, rocks, and even sloth fur.

Pinecone: Closes before rain due to humidity changes.

Water Net Algae: Forms giant net-like colonies.

Dunaliella: Survives extreme salt environments, even in the Dead Sea.

Star Moss: Can endure space exposure and extreme drought.

Liverwort: Used in early plant reproduction studies.

Beans: Improve soil nitrogen, reducing greenhouse gases.

Wheat: Related to sports field grasses.

Alyssum: Symbol of love and protection, linked to Greek mythology.

Hornwort: Hardy aquatic plant thriving in varied water conditions.

Elephant Ear Plant: Used in traditional medicine for inflammation.

Ginkgo: One of the oldest tree species, dating back 270 million years.

Sunflower: Follows the sun across the sky (heliotropism).

Cycas Clivicola: Extremely rare, found only on a single Thai cliff.

Lily of the Valley: Poisonous but used in luxury perfumes.

Aloe Vera: Works as a vegan gelatin alternative.

Baby’s Tears: Delicate-looking but resilient, popular in terrariums.

Ephedra: Source of ephedrine, once used in weight loss supplements.

Billy Buttons: Edible, with a mild sweetness, used in floral arrangements.

Aloe Vera (Var. Chinensis): Removes toxins like formaldehyde from the air.

Lycopodium: Used in fireworks due to highly flammable spores.

Pitcher Plant: Some species collect nutrients from tree shrew droppings.

Buttercup: Reflects UV light to attract pollinators.

Cherry Blossom: Japan has over 200 varieties, celebrated in festivals.

Mask Flower: Changes color from bright red to maroon to attract pollinators.

Four-Leaf Clover: A rare mutation, symbolizing luck in Irish folklore.

Monstera: Adjusts leaf shape based on light exposure.

Brazilian Waterweed: Native to Argentina, not Brazil, despite its name.

Protista

Giant Kelp: The largest seaweed, self-fertilizes and reproduces without a partner.

Dog Vomit Slime Mold: Can move, change shape, and solve mazes—without a brain!

Brain-Eating Amoeba: Thrives in warm freshwater, surviving extreme temperatures.

Paramecium: Reproduces three times a day, producing billions in a week.

Amoeba Proteus: Grows up to 1,000 times its size in hours by absorbing water.

Red Tide Plankton: Causes toxic algae blooms that turn water red and harm marine life.

Irish Moss: Used as a gelatin substitute in WWII due to its thickening properties.

Malaria Parasite: Name comes from Italian “mala aria” (bad air), once thought to cause the disease.

Extreme Red Algae: Survives in hot springs with a pH of 0—like swimming in acid!

Giardia: Moves with a “falling leaf” motion, evading the immune system.

Bacteria

Tetanus: Rusty objects don’t cause tetanus; deep wounds create ideal conditions for infection.

Cholera: Discovered in 1883, Vibrio cholerae can survive dormant in water and soil, reactivating in outbreaks.

Legionella: Identified in 1976 after a deadly outbreak in a hotel’s cooling towers.

S. thermophilus: Essential in dairy production, fueling a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Syphilis: Once treated with malariotherapy and even rat-bite fever bacteria.

Lactobacillus: Helps break down environmental pollutants and clean up oil spills.

Botulinum Toxin: Deadly but also key in fermenting kimchi and sauerkraut.

E. coli: Causes food poisoning but can be engineered to produce biofuels.

Bifidobacterium: Fork-shaped probiotic bacteria that promote gut health.

Staphylococcus aureus: Found on 70% of tested dollar bills, stressing the need for handwashing.

Strep Throat: Spreads through singing due to increased aerosol production.

Gonorrhea: Nicknamed “the clap” from the French word for brothel.

H. pylori: Linked to ulcers, infecting humans for over 5,000 years.

P. fluorescens: Glows green due to a UV-absorbing compound.

Magnetospirillum: Navigates using Earth’s magnetic field.

Campylobacter: A leading cause of bacterial diarrhea, affecting 1 in 10 yearly.

D. radiodurans: Survives extreme radiation and up to 10 years in space.

Listeria: Thrives in refrigerated foods like deli meats and soft cheeses.

Archaea

M. burtonii: Survives Antarctic temperatures as low as -2°C, earning the nickname “microbial Houdini.”

Ignicoccus & N. equitans: Hydrothermal vent microbes, with N. equitans mooching lipids from Ignicoccus.

T. gammatolerans: Withstands radiation 300x higher than lethal human levels.

P. furiosus: Thrives in boiling water and has enzymes for biofuel production.

H. walsbyi: Salt-loving, square-shaped microbe that packs tightly with others.

Methanobrevibacter: Produces enough methane from cow stomachs to fuel a car for 100 miles per gallon.

Methanococcus: Deep-sea microbe producing high amounts of methane—”the fartist of the ocean.”

S. marinus: Survives extreme hydrothermal vent conditions with a unique DNA repair system.

P. syntrophicum: Found near an Arctic hydrothermal vent, uses a carbon pathway with energy potential.