vs Manchot empereur

Coelosphaerium dubium compared with Aptenodytes forsteri

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Manchot empereur is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Manchot empereur
Kingdom	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Cyanobacteriia	Aves (oiseau)
Order	Cyanobacteriales	Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Family	Microcystaceae	Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus	Coelosphaerium	Aptenodytes (Great Penguins)
Species	Coelosphaerium dubium	Aptenodytes forsteri

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Manchot empereur

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~595.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Manchot empereur
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	20 years
Average Length	—	1.1 m
Average Weight	—	40.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Manchot empereur

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.

Coelosphaerium dubium is a colonial planktonic cyanobacterium in the family Merismopediaceae, named for the taxonomic uncertainty surrounding its morphological boundaries with related species in the genus. Like its congeners, it forms spherical, gelatinous mucilaginous colonies in which cells are distributed at the periphery of a central hyaline matrix. The genus Coelosphaerium has historically been defined by gross morphological characteristics—colony shape, cell arrangement, and mucilage properties—but molecular phylogenetic analyses have substantially revised understanding of cyanobacterial diversity and systematics within this group. Coelosphaerium dubium has a relatively broad geographic distribution compared to some congeners, with records from freshwater bodies in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan, suggesting either a wide ecological tolerance or cryptic species diversity within the taxon. It inhabits lentic and slow-flowing freshwater environments, particularly stratified lakes and ponds where thermal and chemical gradients allow cyanobacterial cells equipped with gas vesicles to adjust their buoyancy and optimise light exposure. As a primary producer in these aquatic ecosystems, it contributes to nutrient cycling and forms part of the phytoplankton community grazed by zooplankton. No formal conservation assessment has been undertaken for this species by the IUCN.

Manchot empereur

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.