vs koala

Desulfurococcus mucosus compared with Phascolarctos cinereus

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while koala is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		koala
Kingdom	Archaea (Archaea)	Animalia (حيوانات)
Phylum	Thermoproteota (Thermoproteota)	Chordata (حبليات)
Class	Thermoproteia	Mammalia (ثدييات)
Order	Sulfolobales (Sulfolobales)	Diprotodontia (ثنائيات الأسنان الأمامية)
Family	Desulfurococcaceae	Phascolarctidae (Koalas)
Genus	Desulfurococcus	Phascolarctos (Koalas)
Species	Desulfurococcus mucosus	Phascolarctos cinereus

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		koala
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	75 cm
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

koala

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found in Australia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Desulfurococcus mucosus is a hyperthermophilic archaeon in the family Desulfurococcaceae, thriving in hot, anaerobic environments such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents at temperatures above 80°C. It is an obligate anaerobe that reduces sulfur as an electron acceptor during metabolism. Its cell surface is covered in a characteristic mucous-like S-layer that gives it its species name.

koala

Iconic marsupial of eastern and southeastern Australia, koalas weigh up to 15 kg and spend up to 22 hours daily sleeping to conserve energy from their low-calorie eucalyptus leaf diet. Highly specialized to process toxic eucalyptus compounds that would kill most other mammals, they have gut microbiomes uniquely adapted for detoxification. Listed as Endangered in 2022, with populations decimated by chlamydia disease, habitat clearing, and climate change.