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RP Issues of 2011

 

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2011, August 17.  Marine Biodiversity (Definitives)

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf. 13.5

Singles , Sheets of 100  (10 x 10)

           

 

   1p   Dendronephthya Soft Coral  - Singles  (500,000)

   5p   Sea Apple -  Singles   (1,000,000)

   7p   Spotted Boxfish  -  Singles   (1,000,000)

   9p   Broadclub Cuttlefish  -  Singles  (500,000)

 

Source:  Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific by Dr. Terence Gosliner

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

   

Dendronephthya.  A common genus of soft coral.  They are commonly found under ledges, hanging from rock walls and in caves in regions of high flow where high concentrations of suspended plankton abound.  Although the corals can be found upright and in full sunlight in the wild, they are most common in deep water.  They are considered among the most difficult of the corals to keep in captivity.  . (http://www.saltcorner.com/Articles/Showarticle.php?articleID=72

Sea Apple.  A common name for the colorful and somewhat round sea cucumbers of the genera Paracucumaria and Pseudocolochirus, found primarily in Indo-Pacific waters.  Sea apples are filter feeders with tentacles, ovate bodies, and tube-like feet. They can release their internal organs or a toxin into the water when stressed.   apples usually feed at night, when their delicate tentacles are less at risk from predators.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_apple)

Spotted Boxfish.  Also known as Black Boxfish, Blue-Spotted Boxfish, Multi-spotted Trunkfish, Blue Boxfish, White spotted Boxfish and Spotted Trunkfish.  Found singly or in pairs on clear water reefs, slopes and shallow drop-off's with rich coral growth.  Males and juveniles are brightly coloured, females black with white spots.  They feed on small invertebrates, worms and sponges.  The bodies of Boxfish are covered in a toxic mucus which can be released when stressed.  (http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/spotted-boxfish/43

Broadclub Cuttlefish.  A large, fascinating cephalopod with an oval mantle and crescent-shaped club.  This species can reach up to 50 cm in mantle length and weigh up to 10 kg.  Can be seen displaying a range of colors and textures. Commonly they are light brown or yellowish with white mottled markings. Males are sometimes dark brown, particularly during courtship and mating. The arms have longitudinal white bands that appear as broad white blotches when extended.   The eyes are yellow around the ventral margins and the fins are pale with white, transverse stripes extending onto mantle and narrow, white bands along outer margins. (http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=1364)

 

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES 

 

  • Marine Biodiversity

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

 

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Issues of 2011