Ted Stankowich
@tedstankowich.bsky.social
Professor & Curator of Vertebrates @ Cal State Univ Long Beach
Evol Behavioral Ecol of armor, weaponry, aposematism, antipredator behavior, urban ecology https://www.csulb.edu/mammal-lab
Creator https://themammallab.com/ an online mammalogy lab manual
Evol Behavioral Ecol of armor, weaponry, aposematism, antipredator behavior, urban ecology https://www.csulb.edu/mammal-lab
Creator https://themammallab.com/ an online mammalogy lab manual
Members of Family Nemacheilidae, stone loaches are nocturnal and well adapted to turbulent waters, using their flattened bodies and strong fins to cling to substrates. Their cryptic habits make them a well suited for #ecological and #evolutionary studies. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Totti
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Members of Family Nemacheilidae, stone loaches are nocturnal and well adapted to turbulent waters, using their flattened bodies and strong fins to cling to substrates. Their cryptic habits make them a well suited for #ecological and #evolutionary studies. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Totti
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 has an elongated body, barbels around the mouth for sensing food, and mottled coloration for #camouflage on gravel beds. It feeds on #insect larvae and plays a key role in stream ecosystems. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #taxonomy Photo: Michal Maňas
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 has an elongated body, barbels around the mouth for sensing food, and mottled coloration for #camouflage on gravel beds. It feeds on #insect larvae and plays a key role in stream ecosystems. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #taxonomy Photo: Michal Maňas
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎, the stone loach. This small benthic #fish inhabits cool, fast-flowing streams across Europe and western Asia. They live on the bottom, often partly buried. A classic tautonym in freshwater ichthyology! #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Holger Krisp
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎, the stone loach. This small benthic #fish inhabits cool, fast-flowing streams across Europe and western Asia. They live on the bottom, often partly buried. A classic tautonym in freshwater ichthyology! #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Holger Krisp
𝑁𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 has a slender body, long tail, and soft fur, often grayish-brown with a paler underside. Adapted for climbing and foraging, the white-bellied rat thrives in diverse habitats from lowland forests to high elevations in South and SE Asia. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Map: IUCN
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
𝑁𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 has a slender body, long tail, and soft fur, often grayish-brown with a paler underside. Adapted for climbing and foraging, the white-bellied rat thrives in diverse habitats from lowland forests to high elevations in South and SE Asia. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Map: IUCN
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet the Himalayan white-bellied #rat, 𝑁𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟, a murid rodent that inhabits forests and montane regions, playing an important role in seed dispersal and ecosystem dynamics. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: National Biodiversity Centre
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet the Himalayan white-bellied #rat, 𝑁𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟, a murid rodent that inhabits forests and montane regions, playing an important role in seed dispersal and ecosystem dynamics. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: National Biodiversity Centre
This species is schooling and highly social, often forming large aggregations in rivers and streams. The Genus #𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 includes many species popular in aquaria, but 𝑅. 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 remains a cornerstone for understanding cyprinid #evolution. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Mark Duffill
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
This species is schooling and highly social, often forming large aggregations in rivers and streams. The Genus #𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 includes many species popular in aquaria, but 𝑅. 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 remains a cornerstone for understanding cyprinid #evolution. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Mark Duffill
#𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 has a streamlined body, silvery scales, and a forked tail adapted for fast swimming in flowing waters. It feeds on small #invertebrates and algae, playing a key role in nutrient cycling in tropical freshwater habitats. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Mark Duffill
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
#𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 has a streamlined body, silvery scales, and a forked tail adapted for fast swimming in flowing waters. It feeds on small #invertebrates and algae, playing a key role in nutrient cycling in tropical freshwater habitats. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Mark Duffill
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎, a small freshwater #fish in the family #Cyprinidae. Native to South and Southeast Asia, this species is an important component of riverine ecosystems and a classic tautonym in #ichthyology. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Rasbora Photo: Emma Turner
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎, a small freshwater #fish in the family #Cyprinidae. Native to South and Southeast Asia, this species is an important component of riverine ecosystems and a classic tautonym in #ichthyology. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Rasbora Photo: Emma Turner
And it’s another SUPER #TAUTONYM: The nominate subspecies 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 (Alpine #chamois) ranges across #Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Slovakia. Adapted to alpine habitats, it’s a master of vertical terrain! #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Isiwal
November 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
And it’s another SUPER #TAUTONYM: The nominate subspecies 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 (Alpine #chamois) ranges across #Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Slovakia. Adapted to alpine habitats, it’s a master of vertical terrain! #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Isiwal
#Chamois have short, hooked #horns, a stocky build, and seasonal coat changes—thicker and darker in winter, lighter in summer. Their specialized hooves provide traction on rocky surfaces, making them exceptional climbers. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Andreas Tille
November 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
#Chamois have short, hooked #horns, a stocky build, and seasonal coat changes—thicker and darker in winter, lighter in summer. Their specialized hooves provide traction on rocky surfaces, making them exceptional climbers. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Andreas Tille
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎, the chamois. This agile caprine inhabits rugged mountain terrain across Europe and parts of Asia, adapted for steep slopes and harsh alpine climates. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Giles Laurent
November 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎, the chamois. This agile caprine inhabits rugged mountain terrain across Europe and parts of Asia, adapted for steep slopes and harsh alpine climates. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Giles Laurent
#Angelsharks represent an ancient lineage, diverging early from other #sharks. Once widespread, they are now critically #endangered due to bycatch and habitat loss, making #conservation efforts vital. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Julien Renoult
October 29, 2025 at 3:51 AM
#Angelsharks represent an ancient lineage, diverging early from other #sharks. Once widespread, they are now critically #endangered due to bycatch and habitat loss, making #conservation efforts vital. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Julien Renoult
𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 has a broad, flattened body, large pectoral fins, and camouflaged skin for ambush #predation. Unlike #rays, it retains shark-like features such as dorsal fins and a terminal mouth. It preys on #fish and invertebrates. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Ben Jobson
October 29, 2025 at 3:51 AM
𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 has a broad, flattened body, large pectoral fins, and camouflaged skin for ambush #predation. Unlike #rays, it retains shark-like features such as dorsal fins and a terminal mouth. It preys on #fish and invertebrates. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Ben Jobson
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎, the #angelshark. This critically #endangered species is a flat-bodied shark that resembles a ray, inhabiting sandy seabeds in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Philippe Guillaume
October 29, 2025 at 3:51 AM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎, the #angelshark. This critically #endangered species is a flat-bodied shark that resembles a ray, inhabiting sandy seabeds in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Philippe Guillaume
We had a great mammalogy field trip this weekend with bat mist netting, small mammal trapping, track plates, and telemetry!
October 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We had a great mammalogy field trip this weekend with bat mist netting, small mammal trapping, track plates, and telemetry!
Today we celebrate two icons of biodiversity:
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
October 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Today we celebrate two icons of biodiversity:
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
Happy #MoleDay! 🕳️🐾
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Happy #MoleDay! 🕳️🐾
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Happy #Wombat Day! I had the amazing chance to see these critters up close and personal in the wild on my sabbatical in Australia in 2019!
October 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Happy #Wombat Day! I had the amazing chance to see these critters up close and personal in the wild on my sabbatical in Australia in 2019!
Bearded sakis live in cohesive groups and are highly arboreal, moving rapidly through the canopy. They exhibit complex social behaviors, including vocal communication and cooperative vigilance against predators. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Fábio Manfredini
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Bearded sakis live in cohesive groups and are highly arboreal, moving rapidly through the canopy. They exhibit complex social behaviors, including vocal communication and cooperative vigilance against predators. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Fábio Manfredini
𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 has a robust body, long bushy tail, and distinctive beard. Its specialized dentition and jaw strength allow it to exploit seeds and nuts, making it an important seed disperser in tropical ecosystems. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Craig Sladden
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 has a robust body, long bushy tail, and distinctive beard. Its specialized dentition and jaw strength allow it to exploit seeds and nuts, making it an important seed disperser in tropical ecosystems. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Craig Sladden
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠, the red-backed bearded saki. This Neotropical #primate inhabits Amazonian forests and is recognized for its thick beard and strong jaws adapted for cracking hard seeds. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Allan Hopkins
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠, the red-backed bearded saki. This Neotropical #primate inhabits Amazonian forests and is recognized for its thick beard and strong jaws adapted for cracking hard seeds. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Allan Hopkins
And it's another 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐘𝐌: The nominate subspecies 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 ranges across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Adapted to montane forests, it’s known for its cold tolerance and energetic foraging. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Francis C. Franklin
October 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM
And it's another 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐘𝐌: The nominate subspecies 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 ranges across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Adapted to montane forests, it’s known for its cold tolerance and energetic foraging. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Francis C. Franklin
𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 has a short, rounded body, needle-like bill, and a striking yellow-orange crest bordered by black. It flits through conifers, feeding on insects and spiders, and plays a key role in forest food webs. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Eugene Stolyarov
October 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM
𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 has a short, rounded body, needle-like bill, and a striking yellow-orange crest bordered by black. It flits through conifers, feeding on insects and spiders, and plays a key role in forest food webs. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Eugene Stolyarov
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠, the goldcrest. This tiny #passerine is Europe’s smallest #bird, at just 5–7g. Despite its size, it maintains high metabolic rates & is remarkably cold-tolerant, surviving harsh winters in coniferous forests. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: Alpsdake
October 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠, the goldcrest. This tiny #passerine is Europe’s smallest #bird, at just 5–7g. Despite its size, it maintains high metabolic rates & is remarkably cold-tolerant, surviving harsh winters in coniferous forests. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: Alpsdake
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 is slender, with large ears, a pointed snout, and a long tail often longer than its body. It differs from 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑠 (brown rat) in size, behavior, and habitat preference. Its adaptability has led to multiple subspecies worldwide. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Kilessan
October 7, 2025 at 10:24 PM
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 is slender, with large ears, a pointed snout, and a long tail often longer than its body. It differs from 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑠 (brown rat) in size, behavior, and habitat preference. Its adaptability has led to multiple subspecies worldwide. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Kilessan