vs Emperor Penguin

Acanthocorbis asymmetrica compared with Aptenodytes forsteri

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Emperor Penguin is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Emperor Penguin
Kingdom	Protozoa (protozoa)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Choanozoa (Choanozoa)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Choanoflagellatea (Choanoflagellatea)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Choanoflagellida (Choanoflagellida)	Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Family	Acanthoecidae	Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus	Acanthocorbis	Aptenodytes (Great Penguins)
Species	Acanthocorbis asymmetrica	Aptenodytes forsteri

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Emperor Penguin

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~595.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Emperor Penguin
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	20 years
Average Length	—	1.1 m
Average Weight	—	40.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Emperor Penguin

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Acanthocorbis asymmetrica is a marine choanoflagellate, a unicellular organism closely related to the ancestors of animals, living in coastal and open ocean waters. Its cells are enclosed within a lorica (basket-like cage) constructed from siliceous costal strips that form an asymmetric pattern, distinguishing it from related species. It feeds on bacteria, playing a role in marine microbial food webs.

Emperor Penguin

The world's largest penguin, emperor penguins stand up to 1.2 meters and weigh 45 kg, inhabiting the Antarctic continent in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. They breed in midwinter darkness at temperatures below -60°C, with males incubating single eggs on their feet under a brood pouch for 65 days while females are at sea. Their huddling behavior — cycling individuals through the warm center of thousands-strong groups — is a masterclass in cooperative survival.