African elephant vs

Loxodonta africana compared with Arcyria incarnata

Key Differences

  • African elephant is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank African elephant
Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Protozoa (protozoa)
Phylum Chordata (Chordates) Mycetozoa
Class Mammalia (Mammals) Myxomycetes (Myxomycetes)
Order Proboscidea (Elephants) Trichiales (Trichiales)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Arcyriaceae
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Arcyria
Species Loxodonta africana Arcyria incarnata

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute African elephant
Diet Herbivore
Average Lifespan 65 years
Average Length 6.0 m
Average Weight 6.0 t

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

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

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil).

African elephant

The largest land animal on Earth, African elephants can reach 7,000 kg and inhabit sub-Saharan savannas, forests, and wetlands. Highly intelligent with complex social structures led by matriarchs, they communicate through infrasound, rumbles, and touch. As ecosystem engineers, they shape habitats by uprooting trees, digging waterholes, and dispersing seeds. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to ivory poaching and habitat loss.

Arcyria incarnata is a brightly coloured myxomycete (slime mould) producing dense clusters of pink to flesh-coloured, cylindrical sporangia on decaying wood and plant litter in forest habitats. During its vegetative phase it exists as a motile plasmodium feeding on bacteria, fungi, and organic particles. This species is found worldwide in moist, shaded woodland environments with abundant dead wood.

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