vs Polynesian rat

Hygrophorus cossus compared with Rattus exulans

Key Differences

• is Critically Endangered while Polynesian rat is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Polynesian rat
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Hygrophoraceae	Muridae (Mice & Rats)
Genus	Hygrophorus	Rattus
Species	Hygrophorus cossus	Rattus exulans

Conservation Status

CR — Critically Endangered

Polynesian rat

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Polynesian rat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

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

Distributed across Norway and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Polynesian rat

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (6 countries), Europe (United Kingdom), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (11 countries), and South America (Chile).

Hygrophorus cossus is a waxcap fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae, assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). It grows in old-growth forest habitats, particularly in association with ancient trees, and is named for its distinctive soapy or waxy odour. Its critically endangered status reflects extreme rarity and the near-total loss of suitable old-growth forest habitat.