Freshwater Gobies of Fiji

Freshwater streams and rivers within Fiji and the wider Indo-Pacific are inhabited by the agile and often beautiful fishes from family Gobiidae.

Pay tribute to  this species, Fiji post issued a set of four stamps feature Sicyopterus lagocephalus, Stiphodon rutilaurens, Sicyopus  zosterophorum , Stiphodon sp on April 5, 2007.

The 20 c stamp represent Sicyopterus lagocephalus species. Sicyopterus lagocephalus is known from the Comoro Islands, Mascarene Islands, Sri Lanka and western of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, and from Indonesia to the Society Islands and japan to Australia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and now Fiji in the Pacific.

Sicyopterus lagocephalus is almost always found in moderate flowing to very swift clear streams with boulder-strewn bottoms often also with smaller gravel, sand and minimum silt. It will be reach a maximum size of about 13 cm.  This species appears the most tolerant to a range water qualities and is also widest ranging of Fijian Sicydiinae.

Corals of Mayotte

 

Mayotte Post released the unique souvenir sheet stamp, consist of four stamps presents corals on July 2, 2007. The species are depicted Acropora palmata, Gorgone eventail, the Staghorn coral, Brain coral which are found in Mayotte. 

Corail corne d’elan or Elk horn coral (Acropora palmata) is a leading corals forming coral reefs of the Caribbean . Acroporas grow in the coral reefs of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

It has a complex structure with many large branches that form a habitat for various reef dwellers such as lobsters , the parrotfish .

 

Coral colonies horned elk grow incredibly fast (5 to 10 cm per year) and can reach a diameter of 3.50 meters. Its color varies from brown to yellowish-brown. The result of a symbiosis with zooxanthellae living within the coral tissues. This alga performs photosynthesis and pourvoie the coral nutrients .

Turtles of Montserrat

 

Montserrat Post issued a set of stamps feature marine turtles on August 8, 2007. The issue stamps depict 5 species of marine turtles,e.g:  Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle, Leatherback turtle, Loggerhead turtle, and Kemps Ridley turtle. 

The present of stamp in a sheetlet comprised of four stamps and one souvenir sheet comprised of one stamp.

Kemp's ridley is a small living sea turtle species, reaching maturity at 60–90 centimetres long and averaging only 45 kilograms . Its colour is olive green above and yellowish below.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles generally prefer warm waters. Their range includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.The Kemp's ridley turtle feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, jellyfish, algae or seaweed, and sea urchins.

The hawksbill's appearance is similar to that of other marine turtles. It has a generally flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like arms, adapted for swimming in the open ocean.  

This is a relatively small species of sea turtles. It is identified by its thick, overlapping shell scutes and its four pairs of lateral scutes.

 

The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.  The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies.

50th Anniversary of WWF – Macao

Macao China Post, has commemorated the 50th Anniversary of WWF by issuing a set of four stamps  on 11th of  September 2011 .

The protected bird species like: Pynonotus sinensis, Streptopelia chinensis, Ixobrychus sinensis and Centropus sinensis.

The 1.50 ptcs stamp shown Pycnonotus sinensis or Chinese bulbul. The Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), is a bird and a member of the bulbul family.The bulbul is common in East Asia, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

The birds of Taiwan are of an endemic subspecies.The particular characteristic is the large white patch covering the nape and the sides of its black head. It also sings very brightly.the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

 

Red Cardinal Fody

 

Mayotte Post issued  a stamp feature bird species, Red Cardinal Fody on January 12, 2009. It is a common bird found in forest clearings, grasslands and cultivated areas.

The Red Cardinal  Fody , sometimes known as Foudia madagascariensis , is a small bird native to Madagascar. It has been introduced to other areas of the Indian Ocean, included the Amirantes, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion.The population tend to stable and  species is evaluated as Least Concern. 

 

The Red Fody is about 5 inches in length and weighs 14–19 grams. The male of the species is bright red with black markings around each eye. Its wings and tail are olive-brown. The female fody's upper body is olive-brown and its underbody is greyish-brown.

Cardisoma carniflex - Wallis et Futuna

The Postal Administration  of Wallis & Futuna Islands issued a specific shaped souvenir sheet consist of two stamps on November 04, 2010. The species depicted is Cardisoma carniflex.

 

Cardisoma carnifex is a species of terrestrial crab found in coastal regions from the east coast of Africa and the Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific to the Line Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago.

The range includes parts of northern Australia and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Horny endpiece of male first pleopod asymmetric, external corner dentiform, sperm channel lateral.

Female genital duct with strongly protruding lateral border, median border much less marked; opercle highly elevated, dropping perpendicularly in direction to vulval slit.

Wealth of Latvian Forests - 2010

Continuing the previous released, Latvia Post has issued  a set of two stamps features the wealth of Latvian Forest  on 10 September 2010. The issue depicted species, Rubus idaeus (55)  and The birch bolete (120).

Raspberry or Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus or occasionally as European Raspberry to distinguish it from other raspberries is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.

Rubus idaeus is grown primarily for its fruits, but occasionally for its leaves, roots, or other parts. The fruit is an important food crop, though most modern commercial raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between of Rubus idaeus and Rubus  strigosus.The fruit is red, edible, and sweet but tart-flavoured, produced in summer or early autumn

Plants of Rubus idaeus are generally perennials which bear biennial stems  from a perennial root system. Its grows vigorously to its full height of 1.5-2.5 m. The flowers are produced in late spring on short racemes on the tips of these side shoots, each flower about 1 cm diameter with five white petals.

As a wild plant, Rubus idaeus typically grows in forests, forming open stands under a tree canopy, and denser stands in clearings. In the south of its range (southern Europe and central Asia), it only occurs at high altitudes in mountains.

The Swordfish

Swordfish are large , highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill.  They have characteristics are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood.

 

On April 7, 2003, Mayotte Post issued one stamp feature the Swordfish as part of their fauna stamp series. Swordfish found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, and can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m .They commonly reach 3 m  in length.

Mainly the swordfish relies on its great speed and agility in the water to catch its prey. Their  speed average of 60 mph .They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive.

Swordfish are vigorous, powerful fighters. When hooked or harpooned, they have been known to dive so quickly that they have impaled their swords into the ocean bottom up to their eyes. Although there are no reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, swordfish can be very dangerous when harpooned. They have run their swords through the planking of small boats when hurt.

Birds of Mayotte

 

Mayotte Post  issued a set of four stamps features birds species on September 21, 2012. The issues are depicting birds of Mayotte , i.e: Souimanga, Drongo, Faudy,  and Oiseau-lunette.

Souimanga

The Souimanga Sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga) is a small passerine bird of the sunbird family, Nectariniidae. 

 

The Souimanga Sunbird is 10 cm long with a wingspan of 13 cm.The black bill is long, thin and curved. It is native to the islands of the western Indian Ocean where it occurs on Madagascar, the Aldabra Group and the Glorioso Islands.

Males of the nominate subspecies have a metallic green head, back and throat. The breast is blackish with a more or less continuous red band while the belly is yellow and the wings and tail are brown. There are yellow tufts at the sides of the breast which become visible when the birds lift their wings in courtship display

Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp

Fiji Post Limited issued a special souvenir sheet stamp consist of two stamps that features the endemic bird of Fiji, Fiji's "Teri" Purple Swamp, or the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) on July 20, 2006.

The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), is a large bird in the family Rallidae (rails).  This chicken-sized bird, with its huge feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily-recognizable in its native range.

This species is sedentary, nomadic or partially migratory, with many populations making local seasonal movements in response to changing habitat conditions .

The species is mainly crepuscular and forages in the early-morning and late-evening.It breeds in solitary territorial pairs (especially in pastures)  or in small communal groups containing several breeding males, breeding females and non-breeding helpers (especially in swamps) .

Latvian National Bird

To dedicate the Latvian  Bird, Latvia Post  pleased to issue one stamp feature the White Wagtail or Motacilla alba as their National  Bird on August   30, .2003.

Motacilla alba

 

The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia. This is a slender bird, 16.5–19 cm in length  with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. The  basic  appearance  is   grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae which breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. The major diet of White Wagtails are terrestrial and aquatic insects and other small invertebrates.

Motacilla alba is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures.

Fiji's Endemic Fish–Siganus Uspi

 

Fiji Post Limited proudly to issue a set of four stamps feature their endemic fish, USP Rabbitfish or Siganus Uspi on August 2003.

 

USP Rabbitfish or Siganus uspi is known under several different names, Fiji Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish. USP Rabbitfish lives in the Western Pacific and is considered endemic to the waters of Fiji. Occasional specimens have however been found in New Caledonia.

Classified(discovered) and named by Michael J. Gawel after USP (University of the South Pacific). Siganus uspi has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Dolphins of the Pitcairn Islands

 

On April 26, 2012, Pitcairn Islands Post has been issued the stamp series feature dolphins which found in their islands. The dolphins species depicted on stamps are Fraser’s dolphin or Lagenodelphis hosei, Spinner dolphin or Stenella longirostris, Spotted dolphin or  Stenella attenuata, Spotted dolphin  or Stenella attenuata.

Passion Fruit of Fiji

Dedicated to the Passion Fruit plants, Fiji Post Limited issued a set of four stamps features these specific fruit on September 29, 2009. The species depicted on stamps are Passiflora foetida, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora maliformis.

The 20c stamp present fruit Passiflora foetida.

Passiflora foetida is a species of passion flower that is native to the southwestern United States , Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world

The stems are thin and wiry, covered with minute sticky yellow hairs. Older stems become woody. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. When crushed, these leaves give off a pungent odor that some people consider unpleasant.

The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5–6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2–3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds

Passiflora foetida contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents .