Also known as the hedge brown, the gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) is a European species of butterfly and gets its name for its habit of patrolling flowers near hedgerows and field margins. In Britain it is widespread in the south and its population does well with warmer weather. As a larva, it can be found on fine grasses such as fescues, bents and meadow-grasses, graduating as a butterfly to nectar sources such as bramble, thistles, ragwort and wild marjoram. As a butterfly it is a significant pollinator.
2. galah
Answer: aerial
The galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is an Australasian species of cockatoo, sometimes known as the pink and grey cockatoo or the rose-breasted cockatoo. It is endemic to, and widespread in, mainland Australia and has been introduced into Tasmania and New Zealand.
They will flock with up to a 1,000 birds present including other cockatoo species with which they may hybridise. Eating seeds and leaves, they have been known to kill trees through defoliation. Reaching the age of 20 years in the wild is unusual, however some individuals have reached over 70 years of age in captivity.
3. geomalia
Answer: aerial
The geomalia, or Sulawesi mountain thrush, is endemic to Indonesia. Placing it in the correct genus has proved problematic. It was originally classed as a monotypic Geomalia heinrichi, referencing another endemic monotypic bird, the malia (Malia grata) to which it is not actually related. Genetic testing has placed it with Asian thrushes in the Zoothera genus. It is rare and isolated so not much is known about it, although it has a long tail for a thrush.
4. guaiabero
Answer: aerial
Endemic to the Philippines, the guaiabero (Bolbosittacus lunulatus) is a monotypic species of parrot. It is related to lovebirds and hanging parrots. It is a fruit-eating parrot, reflected in its common name which is derived from the guava fruit, a favourite. Guaiabero have been found nesting in arboreal termite mounds. The birds excavate nesting holes in these tree-based mud constructions.
5. gar
Answer: aquatic
Not to be confused with the marine-dwelling garfish or needlefish (family Belonidae), the gar is a relatively-large, elongated, heavily-armoured and sharp-toothed North American freshwater fish of the Lepisosteidae family. There are seven species with two found in brackish and occasionally marine waters. Their swim bladder can function as a lung, useful in overly-warm oxygen-poor waters. The flesh of the fish is edible but the roe is highly toxic unless cooked to a high-enough temperature to denature the toxin.
6. Garibaldi
Answer: aquatic
Taking its name from the Italian politician and general Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Redshirt volunteers, the Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) is also the marine state fish of California. It used to be called the Catalina goldfish, is a bright orange and the largest member of the damselfish family. The adult males are larger than the adult females although the norm for damselfish is the reverse. Males will aggressively defend nest sites, even tackling people. Since females prefer males with nests containing eggs of less than three days age, males will eat the older eggs to attract females.
7. grunion
Answer: aquatic
The grunion consist of two sardine-sized species in the Leuresthes genus, namely the Californian grunion and the Gulf grunion. The Gulf in this case is the Gulf of California. The unusual thing about them is their mating ritual which people experience as "grunion runs". These occur in spring and summer for four nights after the full and new moons with the fish coming on the beach in order to spawn.
The female digs herself into the sand tail first before depositing her eggs. Several males may wrap around her, releasing their milt. She then will return to the sea with the whole process perhaps taking as little as 30 seconds, but usually a few minutes. Hatching may occur at the next suitable high tide around 10 or so days later, although this may be delayed pending suitable hatching conditions.
8. gourami
Answer: aquatic
The gourami is a group of Asian freshwater fish of some 133 species belonging the Osphronemidae family. They include aquarium fish such as the Siamese fighting fish and paradise fish as well as various important food fish. Many of the species have features such as a feeler-like ray at the front of their pelvic fins and labyrinth organs.
The labyrinth organ is a specialised adaptation which sits in a chamber above the gills and allows the fish to breathe air, particularly useful in oxygen-poor water. Air is inhaled from the water surface and stored in the chamber to allow the oxygen to be gradually diffused into the bloodstream.
It is a highly-vascularised complex bony structure which develops as the fish matures.
9. gaur
Answer: terrestrial
Largest of the wild cattle species, the gaur (Bos gaurus) is mostly found in India with its range extending east into SE Asia, although with areas of regional extinction. Naturally active during the day, they are mostly nocturnal where there is human activity in their forest domain. Other than humans, gaur have few predators due to their size. Only tigers and saltwater crocodiles are known to tackle adult gaur, although leopards, packs of dhole and large mugger crocodiles will go after the sick and the young. Poaching is perhaps the main threat in SE Asia.
10. gerenuk
Answer: terrestrial
Also known as the giraffe gazelle, the gerenuk (Litocranius walleri) has a long neck and is a monotypic species found in East Africa. The common name comes from the Somali term for the antelope. Only the male has horns which are lyre-shaped. Herds tend to be no more than six individuals of the same sex, although female herds may include juveniles. A foliage browser, they will stand on their hind legs to reach over 2 m (6ft 7in), outcompeting other antelopes as a result.
11. genet
Answer: terrestrial
The genet is the name for several species of small African cat-like carnivores belonging to the Genetta genus. They are close cousins of civets and binturongs. In the Viverridae family, only the genets stand on their hind legs. Indigenous to Africa, they were introduced by humans into the Iberian peninsula perhaps 1,500 years ago. Mostly carnivorous, food availability dictates their diet and they will on feed on fruits, nuts and seeds as well. Habitat destruction and hunting are the main threats to populations.
12. guanaco
Answer: terrestrial
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a South American camelid closely related to the llama. The guanaco is one of only two wild South American camelids. It is a herbivore and, although not a ruminant, it has a pseudo-rumen and will regurgitate, rechew and re-swallow its food as part of the digestive process.
It has unusual lips - its upper lip is split with each half operating independently to take in food. An altitude adaptation sees a much higher concentration of red blood cells than in humans. As protection against predators, it has particularly thick neck skin which gets used to make the soles of shoes.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
