Afrikanischer Elefant vs Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling

Loxodonta africana compared with Hymenochaete cinnamomea

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling
Kingdom	Animalia (Tier)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Hymenochaetales (Borstenscheiblingsartige)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Hymenochaetaceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Hymenochaete
Species	Loxodonta africana	Hymenochaete cinnamomea

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Afrikanischer Elefant

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.

Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (5 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Afrikanischer Elefant

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.

Zimtfarbener Borstenscheibling

Hymenochaete cinnamomea is a cinnamon-brown, leathery corticioid fungus forming resupinate to effused-reflexed fruiting bodies on dead hardwood. It inhabits temperate and subtropical forests, growing on the bark of dead standing trees and fallen logs. This wood-decay fungus causes brown rot in hardwood species and participates in forest nutrient cycling.