Polynesian rat vs Splendid Waxcap

Rattus exulans compared with Hygrocybe splendidissima

Key Differences

• Polynesian rat is Least Concern while Splendid Waxcap is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

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

Conservation Status

Polynesian rat

LC — Least Concern

Splendid Waxcap

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic 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).

Splendid Waxcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

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