Disclaimer : In the case of some of the more difficult genera (namely, Yunnanilus and Quadragnostus), the genus featured via thumbs is not that of the feature; forgive me.

It's always fun to read a news article containing both a) beautiful art, and b) a hell of a lot of scientific info, so here goes!

The premise is, I've selected a genus for each letter of the alphabet, all of which are in Kingdom Animalia, and with the exception of Q are in the Phylum Chordata. I will feature two thumbs for each genus, and will include a short write-up on what makes this genus worth featuring.

Let's begin!

A is for Ambystoma, the Mole Salamanders.

Ambystoma are the only genus in family Ambystomatidae, with the type species being Ambystoma maculatum, the Spotted Salamander. These are lunged salamanders, and include the only amphibians capable of aquatic-to-terrestrial metamorphosis which can be both reversed and prevented dependent on environmental conditions.

B is for Bradypus, the Three-Toed Sloths.

Apart from being ridiculously slow and lazy, Bradypus have descended from nearly identical animals, with one exception - their ancestors were the size of Grizzly Bears.

C is for Caracal, the Caracal (shockingly!).

Despite looking much like a puma with tufted ears, the Caracal caracal, type AND only species of the genus, is closely related to the jaguars, lions, tigers and leopards of the Panthera clade, being in the second line of cats (after the cheetah, Acionyx) to branch off from this group.

D is for Dromaius, the Emu.

Despite their docile and comical appearance, the Emus, along with their close cousins the Cassowaries, are savage beasts capable of killing and eating pretty damn much anything.

E is for Eretmochelys, the Hawksbill Turtles.
(sorry, only one thumb here)
The hawksbill turtles are recognized world-wide as the symbolic Endangered Species, being on the brink of extinction for many decades due to commercial fishing and human stupidity.

F is for Fossa, you guessed it, the Fossa!

The fossa, endemic to Madagascar, is related to - well, nothing. Alone in its genus AND family, the fossa is an apex predator on the island.

G is for Gavialis, the Gharials.

While these are the least agressive of the Crocodilian clade, I personally would choose to run far, far away if one was smiling at me with its hundred razor-sharp teeth!

H is for Hirundo, the Swallows.

These small, tame, beautiful songbirds are known to be able to learn how to use an automatic door to access the inside of building-supply stores, where they commonly nest in the pipes and rafters.

I is for Isolobodon, the Hutias.

These beautiful mid-sized rodents native to the Caribbean are closely related to the Capybara, the largest rodent, which is considered by the Catholic church to be a fish, and therefore safe to eat during Lent!

J is for Junco, the Juncos.

Err, to be honest, I know nothing about these birds, except that they are small, fairly tame nuthatches.

K is for Kinosternon, the Mud Turtles.

These turtles are the only endangered species of Chelonian native to Canada. If you run over one while visiting relatives in Ontario or Quebec, I will personally break your kneecaps

L is for Lycaon, the African Wild Dog.

The only species of this genus, and also the type species, was once a common sight in parts of Eastern Africa; however due to hunting, disease and urbanization they are now almost critically endangered.

M is for Macropus, the Kangaroos.

The archetypal animal of Australia, these marsupials can grow (in the cases of males) to be the same height or even larger than an adult human, making them by far the largest marsupial.

N is for Nomascus, the Gibbons.

A critically endangered genus of ape, Nomascus's relation to humans is somewhere between the bonobo and the monkey.

O is for Ornithorhynchus, the Platypus.

They are cute, lay eggs, are savage, and have poison-injecting spurs on their claws. Not surprisingly, these monotremes are VERY rarely photographed up-close in the wild.

P is for Puma, the Cougars and Jaguarundis.

Known to the uneducated as being a brand of shoe, the cougar, type species of Puma and also called simply "puma" in certain areas, is the largest cat endemic to Canada and the Northern US. Though rarely seen, this apex predator is abundant in the Rockies. Remind me to tie some fish around my neck next time I bring my camera hiking in Banff.

Q is for . . . . Quadragnostus, an extinct Trilobite. (It's all I could find )

Yeah. It seems there is no genus of reptile, amphibian, bird, fish, or mammal that begins with a Q. If you find one, I'll do something hella special for you.

R is for Rhinecanthus, a genus of Triggerfish.

The only reason I chose this genus is because of the common name of a species in this group, which is "Humu-Humu-Nuku-Nuku-Apua'a". Have fun pronouncing that.

S is for Sarciphilus, the Tasmanian Devil.

Though still abundant where endemic, this genus is facing extinction due to one of the two known contagious cancers, Devil Facial Tumor Disease, which is transmitted by biting the face of an infected animal. So, for your safety, if you get close enough to one of these guys, don't kiss it.

T is for Tapirus, the tapirs.

They have hooves, yet they look like some type of cracked-out anteater. And they are endemic pretty damn much everywhere except for North America and Australia.

U is for Uncia, the Snow Leopard.

There is continuous debate over whether these gigantic white kitties belong in their own genus, or should be grouped together with the other true leopards in Panthera, along with the other roaring cats. Incapable of roaring, but possessing all the required anatomical mechanisms to roar, these cats seem to be the link between the large cats and the mid-sized felinids such as Pumas and Caracals.

V is for Vultur, the Condors.

While the Andean condor is locally common in Latin America and the Andes, the California Condor, the largest bird endemic to the US, is also the most endangered bird species of North America.

W is for Wallabia, the Wallabies.

Envision a smaller, slower, tamer kangaroo. Wallabies are common in petting zoos in North America, and seem to enjoy the attention they receive from the public, not to anthropomorphise them or anything.

X is for Xenopus, the Clawed Frogs.

The most common freshwater aquarium frog species, these aquatic frogs are also used for pregnancy testing. And no, that does NOT require the patient to urinate on the frog and see if it turns blue.

Y is for Yunnanilus, a type of loach and also the only genus of chordate beginning with the letter Y!

Neither of these images are of the Yunnanilus. Because, quite frankly, who wants a pet fish whose scientific name starts with a Y?!

Z is for Zenaida, the Turtledoves.

The biblical bird is the most graceful genus of bird endemic to North America, as both the Mourning and White-Winged doves. Its soft coo is a common sound in urban cities, mountainsides, everywhere.




Special thanks to all featured artists and everyone who takes the time to read this!