8/22/2023 0 Comments Gorilla mind nootropicThis is the most maxed out stim-free Nootropic formula on the market.Įven a half dose (3 capsules) is still far more potent than the majority of other Nootropic formulas out there at their max dosages. If you want ridiculous amounts of energy and drive, get RUSH.įor those who want a true stimulant-free Nootropic formula, SMOOTH is even better now and I highly recommend you give it a try. These compounds are far more conducive to enhancing the SMOOTH formula by supporting actual brain health, creativity, mental clarity and memory formation. This is what led to me creating the current Gorilla Mind Smooth formula, which now has 1000 mg of Lion's Mane mushroom and 500 mg of Kanna in it. Instead of wasting precious capsule space with things that achieve a subpar level of energy, I decided that space would be far better utilized with other Nootropics. However, over the past year I've started to really lean towards reformulating Smooth to create an entirely Nootropic comprised formula that is 100% geared towards maxing out cognitive function, rather than chase a relatively weak level of energy that we already destroy with Gorilla Mind Rush.Īnyone buying Gorilla Mind that is using it for the laser focus and massive boost in energy and productivity is buying RUSH anyways, not SMOOTH. Originally, I was trying to chase a stimulant-free energy boost in Smooth, which is why I had those ingredients in it. The original Gorilla Mind Smooth formula had PEA, Hordenine and Teacrine in it. Huperzine A (Huperzia serrata leaf standardized extract) – 400 mcg.Bioperine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) – 10 mg.These are some of the reviews we've received from customers using Gorilla Mind Smooth: Conclusion – What To Expect From Gorilla Mind Smooth.Noopept, Racetams, Other Synthetic Nootropics And Prodrugs.Other Notable Compounds I Didn’t Include In The Formula And Why.BioPerine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) – 10 mg.Improved Verbal Fluency And Executive Function.Stacking Caffeine With L-Theanine To Help You Get To Sleep And Smooth Out The Jitters.Improved Information Retention And Memory Consolidation.Improved Verbal Recall – Bacopa Monnieri Vs.Bacopa Monnieri (standardized to 45% Bacosides) – 400 mg.Alpha-GPC's Effect On Methylation And Health Status.Alpha GPC 50% (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) – 600 mg.Effect On Beta Amyloid Levels And Cognitive Decline.Enhanced Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Synthesis.Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus) (standardized to 25% β-glucans) – 1000 mg.Gorilla Mind Smooth Ingredients Breakdown.Do You Need To Cycle Off Of Gorilla Mind Smooth?. Rotating Gorilla Mind Smooth and Gorilla Mind Rush.How To Combine Gorilla Mind Rush And Gorilla Mind Smooth.
0 Comments
8/22/2023 0 Comments Book hazard perception test onlinePresented by a series of interactive videos and animations, each participant is shown 25 scenarios where they are asked to make an action within a timed period, such as when to apply brakes or safely make a turn. What is the Hazard Perception Test?īefore any learner driver can attempt their Drive Test, they must first complete 120 hours of supervised driving and have successfully completed the Hazard Perception Test. Following the success of VicRoads’ online Learner Permit Test (launched in April 2021 which saw almost 45,000 Victorians attempt the test over six months), the Hazard Perception Test has also been made available online.įollowing the launch of the Hazard Perception Test Online more than 6,000 users attempted the test within its first week. But not anymore.ĭue to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, aspiring drivers were faced with a roadblock. Until late September of 2021, to complete the Hazard Perception Test participants would need to make an appointment at VicRoads and attend a Customer Service Centre. “Focusing only on the vehicle in front means drivers can miss what’s happening up ahead. It’s important to form good habits early.”Īccording to VicRoads, the Hazard Perception Test has been partly responsible for a 20 per cent reduction in the rate of fatal and serious crashes involving drivers between 18 and 20 years of age since its introduction in 2008. “Hazard perception is critical to driving. Split second decisions can be the difference between a near miss or a crash. New drivers in particular need to know how to effectively scan the road and surroundings to allow enough time to respond to hazards,” says RACV’s Policy Lead-Safety Elvira Lazar. The computer-based test is specifically designed to evaluate the driver’s ability to anticipate, recognise and respond to real-world hazards in real-time. The statistic further highlights the importance for Learner drivers to be aware of the hazards and dangers they will face when getting behind the steering wheel of a vehicle.īefore attempting a driving test, novice drivers, those who need to convert to a probationary licence and those who will convert to a full licence need to pass the Hazard Perception Test. TAC data shows that the number of probationary driver crashes reduces by about a third following the first year of driving experience. It might be an uncomfortable fact for any parent of a P plater to know, but data shows that probationary drivers have a greater crash risk compared to any other demographic using Victorian roads. A new platform helping young and inexperienced drivers stay safe on the road. 8/22/2023 0 Comments Synergy wellness montgomery mallLobster rolls, lobster meat with butter, ready-to-cook crab cakes, creamy crab soup, fish & shrimp taco kits, weekly chicken & salmon specials, garlic-roasted green beans, corn bread, Mexi-slaw, fresh-baked cookies & much more. OFF THE HOOK CATERING: The team behind the Go Fish food truck, now offering seafood pickup & delivery every Friday.Offering your favorite waffles, beef bourguignon, two-course family meals for four starting at $58, and much more. Also offering outdoor dining plus limited seating in our newly redesigned dining room. Freshly reopened for curbside pickup at 186 Halpine Road or delivery with Grubhub. MOSAIC CUISINE, modern French cooking in Rockville.All locations open for carry-out, delivery, curbside pickup & limited indoor seating, plus outdoor dining at Fallsgrove. Check out daily specials like khoresht gheymeh (yellow split-pea soup with beef) on Wednesdays & ghormeh sabzi (herb stew) on Fridays. Our family platters feed 3-4 people starting at $36.99 or 5-6 people starting at $63. MOBY DICK KABOBS, Persian cooking on the go. Multiple locations in Maryland & the DMV.High in nutrient density and helps boost the immune system. METRO MICROGREENS, locally grown hydroponic microgreens.Delivery, carry-out, curbside pickup or enjoy outdoor dining in our new socially distanced patio & have a cocktail at our new outdoor bar. New menu featuring split grilled bangers, Guinness-battered fish & chips, corned beef & cabbage, shepherd’s pie, chops, steaks & sandwiches. LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL, regional American cuisine at Cabin John Village.Delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub, choose no-contact curbside carryout, or enjoy our patio for outdoor dining plus limited seating indoors. Half-priced bottles of wine with food purchase. Open for lunch, dinner and gift card sales. HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL, the “Cheers” of Potomac. 10123 River Road.Full menu and weekly specials, plus 1/2 off all wine, beer & cocktails. We also offer curbside pickup, pay by phone & contact-free delivery. GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA, Italian favorites at Cabin John Village, 7745 Tuckerman Lane. Outdoor seating & limited indoor seating now open for lunch & dinner, 11 a.m.Open daily for carry-out, catering & patio dining. Try our corned beef, hand-carved pastrami, brisket, nova, chopped liver, pancakes from scratch, cheese blintzes & more - plus artisan bagels from Bethesda Bagels. BROOKLYN’S DELI, homemade meats, soups & sandwiches at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1089 Seven Locks Road. And for Jewish holiday catering and platters, you’ll find what you need at Brooklyn’s Deli, Gregorio’s Trattoria and Potomac Pizza, working with sister company Bagels & Grinds. In addition to learning about the auction market at Freeman’s (see article above), you’ll want to check out ISI Furnish (lightly used furniture and decor), iSoldIt (electronics, music equipment, jewelry, collectibles and furniture) and STX Gold (paying cash for your precious metals). THIS WEEK’S UPDATES: If you’re looking to make a fresh start this fall with your home and your belongings, be sure to scroll down for our Furniture, Art, Jewelry & Collectibles section. Email or call (301) 738-0347.Ī weekly guide sponsored by some of our favorite local businesses Not sure if what you have is valuable? Dunner offers free auction estimates via virtual appointments, with easy no-contact pickup of your goods. “Sometimes it’s more advantageous to sell those pieces now and get the money to invest, to buy something new, to put away for your heirs or give to a charitable organization.” Freeman’s is especially interested in pieces from legacy brands like Boucheron, Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels. “A lot of people have jewelry that they’ve acquired through their life and they’re still holding onto, but they never wear it and their kids don’t want it,” says Debrah Dunner, a Potomac-based rep for the auction house Freeman’s. If you’ve been sorting through old jewelry - and thinking about parting with some of the pieces you no longer love - now is a great time to take advantage of high gold prices and the booming auction market. All these months at home have given many of us a chance to tackle long-neglected organization projects. Unforeseen market disruptions, such as inclement weather, disease, or international trade conflicts, can swiftly displace relative levels of supply and demand. The cattle and beef industry is an inherently risky business. This is a massive figure and one that is worth upwards of $7 billion to producers and marketers. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) suggest that aggregate beef exports exceed 1.25 million metric tons. In the U.S., the cultivation and exportation of beef is big business. When an ideal weight is reached, around 1,200 pounds, the cattle are prepared for slaughter. To boost weight gain, the calves are transitioned from a grass-based to a grain-dominated feed. At the feedlot, the calves are vaccinated, tagged, and fed specialized diets. Feeder cattle: Once calves mature to around eight months of age, they are weaned from their mothers and sent to feedlots.This timing aims to take advantage of beneficial weather patterns and optimal grazing conditions. Live cattle: Until new calves reach a designated weight between 600-800 pounds, they are considered to be “live cattle.” Live cattle are typically bred in the summer, with calving season in the spring.Here’s a quick look at the underlying asset of each: The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lists two cattle-specific contracts. When it comes to trading cattle futures, there are several key distinctions to be aware of. Given this exceedingly large industrial footprint, cattle futures are attractive instruments for speculators and hedgers alike. Department of Agriculture, in 2018, cattle sales accounted for $67.1 billion in revenue and 18 percent of the total American ag market. 8/22/2023 0 Comments Scentsy moment by momentShe was the character most set up for a traditional redemption arc, numbing her guilt (which we now know came from letting Javi die) with drugs, but also, in the cabin flashbacks, trying hardest to hang onto her goodness and sense of self while the others descended into darkness. Even Natalie’s death, while shocking, was also totally unsurprising. Now, they’re back in the woods again, but as riveting as those final scenes were, I also felt a sense of letdown, the feeling that the sense of mystery and possibility from the first season cliffhanger when the girls gathered around Jackie’s frozen body was already leaking out of a series I love. Two pins display Japanese characters in Kanji, Katakana, and Hiragana.In Defense of Ted Lasso, the Show Everyone Now Loves to HateĮvery Perfect Little Detail From Kim Cattrall’s Sex and the City AnnouncementĪ Dramatic Upset Has Changed the Face of Britain’s Weirdest Sport Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary International Posters Mystery Pin These pins feature movie posters of the Return of the Jedi in various languages. It’s the perfect item for displaying your favorite fandom and keeping a galaxy of favorite memories close. Princess Leia™, disguised as Boushh™, stands guard, ready to assist. Slide the mechanism back over, and he’s unfrozen. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Han Solo in Carbonite Sliding Pin Sliding layers on this pin reveal Han Solo, frozen in carbonite. ShopDisney Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Shirts Pictured: Ewoks Fashion Top for Girls, Princess Leia and Wicket T-Shirt for Women, Long Sleeve Top for Adults, and Kids Ringer Teeīoba Fett Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Pin – Limited Release Limited Release cloisonné pin-on-pin design featuring Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett. Herschel x Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Collection Pictured: Backpack, Baseball Cap, and Belt Bag The back of this sweatshirt features character artwork and the anniversary logo while the fleece fabrication will definitely keep you on the warm side. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Zip Hoodie For Adults A replica of a ticket to the movie is featured in a clear vinyl case on the front. Crumb, Artoo-Detto (R2D2), Wicket, Boba Fett, Gamorrean Guard, Stormtooper, Paploo, Emperor Palpatine, Chewbacca, Bib Fortuna Pictured: Force Ghosts 3-Pack, Jabba the Hutt & Salacious B. Star Wars The Black Series includes figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the Star Wars Galaxy. Star Wars: The Black Series Kids and collectors alike can imagine the biggest battles and missions in the Star Wars saga with figures from Star Wars The Black Series! With exquisite features and decoration, this series embodies the quality and realism that Star Wars devotees love. In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Chewbacca and two Ewoks swung from a vine onto an AT-ST, commandeering the vehicle and turning the Empire’s weapon against them. Star Wars The Vintage Collection AT-ST & Chewbacca While not as imposing as its larger AT-AT walker cousin, the AT-ST was a significant addition to the Imperial side of battlefields in the Galactic Civil War. To breach its walls, the Rebels devised a plan. Star Wars The Vintage Collection Endor Bunker Located at an Imperial outpost on Endor’s forest moon, the Endor Bunker housed the shield generator for the Empire’s second Death Star. Pictured: Jabba's Court Denizens, Wicket & Kneesaa, Nien Nunb Includes 4 figures and 5 entertainment-inspired accessories. Star Wars: The Vintage Collection These figures feature premium detail and design across product and packaging inspired by the original Kenner line, as well as the entertainment-inspired collector grade deco. Adult males are 1.4 to 1.8 m (4 ft 7 in to 5 ft 11 in) tall, with an arm span that stretches from 2.3 to 2.6 m (7 ft 7 in to 8 ft 6 in). Population genetics of the lowland gorillas suggest that the western and eastern lowland populations diverged around 261 thousand years ago. Some variations that distinguish the classifications of gorilla include varying density, size, hair colour, length, culture, and facial widths. The proposed third subspecies of Gorilla beringei, which has not yet received a trinomen, is the Bwindi population of the mountain gorilla, sometimes called the Bwindi gorilla. Phylogeny of superfamily Hominoidea : Fig. The species and subspecies listed here are the ones upon which most scientists agree. Primatologists continue to explore the relationships between various gorilla populations. The separate species and subspecies developed from a single type of gorilla during the Ice Age, when their forest habitats shrank and became isolated from each other. More recently, a third subspecies has been claimed to exist in one of the species. There is now agreement that there are two species, each with two subspecies. Until recently, gorillas were considered to be a single species, with three subspecies: the western lowland gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla. Human gene sequences differ only 1.6% on average from the sequences of corresponding gorilla genes, but there is further difference in how many copies each gene has. The closest relatives of gorillas are the other two Homininae genera, chimpanzees and humans, all of them having diverged from a common ancestor about 7 million years ago. The species name was derived from Ancient Greek Γόριλλαι (gorillai) 'tribe of hairy women', as described by Hanno. They called it Troglodytes gorilla, using the then-current name of the chimpanzee genus. The American physician and missionary Thomas Staughton Savage and naturalist Jeffries Wyman first described the western gorilla in 1847 from specimens obtained in Liberia. Skins of gorillai women, brought back by Hanno, are reputed to have been kept at Carthage until Rome destroyed the city 350 years later at the end of the Punic Wars, 146 BC. It is unknown whether what the explorers encountered were what we now call gorillas, another species of ape or monkeys, or humans. Members of the expedition encountered "savage people, the greater part of whom were women, whose bodies were hairy, and whom our interpreters called Gorillae". 500 BC), a Carthaginian explorer on an expedition to the west African coast to the area that later became Sierra Leone. The word gorilla comes from the history of Hanno the Navigator ( c. However, conservation efforts have been successful in some areas where they live. There are many threats to their survival, such as poaching, habitat destruction, and disease, which threaten the survival of the species. Both species are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN all subspecies are classified as Critically Endangered with the exception of the mountain gorilla, which is classified as Endangered. There are thought to be around 316,000 western gorillas in the wild, and 5,000 eastern gorillas. Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gorillas tend to live 35–40 years in the wild. The Eastern gorilla is distinguished from the Western by darker fur colour and some other minor morphological differences. They tend to live in troops, with the leader being called a silverback. Gorillas are the largest living primates, reaching heights between 1.25 and 1.8 metres, weights between 100 and 270 kg, and arm spans up to 2.6 metres, depending on species and sex. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after chimpanzees and bonobos. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies. Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. 8/22/2023 0 Comments Pillars of eternity maerwald soulFrom what I understand, most souls are fragmented when people die, then those fragments go on to join other soul fragments to form new souls for newborns. That's the build i solo'ed PotD with all dragons and bounties.Why do people see Galawains choice as "destroying the souls". Beast Slayer / Vulnerable Attack or Savage Attack.Give him We Toki battle axe (prones on crit) and godansthunyr war hammer (stuns on crit). For the main game except maybe late Paths of od nua, you don't find any traps higher than 11 (easy to get with rogue and cipher). Traps can kill even high CON characters in one go. If you want to cast Maelstrom scrolls, you need 10, so get the Glanfathan Adraswen amulet. 8 is enough to cast paralyze and confusion scrolls. Lore: Until 7, after that take Hylea god bonus for +1. You can get that with a stealth scroll or the +3 resting bonus in your stronghold. There is only one quest (to get a bird) where you need 12 stealth to avoid combat with a bunch of enemies in Elm's Shore. You get +2 from items and +2 from two quests in twin elms. Race go for moon godlike, you you get 3 free heals for 75%-50%-25% health.Īlways take drifter if it's your main character, because +1 stealth and +1 mechanics for rogue are the best. I would go 3 res and 3 con and max everything else, because, you have terrible defensive stats and terrible health gain anyway, so this is the best class besides Ranger to create a glass cannon. Instead, after submission, click the button under your post to assign the appropriate link flair, which will produce the same spoiler tags. You cannot use the above spoiler formatting to mask submission titles. Note: Spoiler tags only apply to text in the body of posts or comments, and not to titles themselves. To mark a spoiler as relevant to a specific part or subject of Pillars of Eternity, use the alternate formatting: (#s "Stuff happens") Spoiler tags can be used by typing followed immediately by (#s "xxxxxx"), with the content of your spoiler inside the quotation marks. Note that spoiler tags will not work when browsing on a mobile app, or when viewing a post from the front page of reddit, as /r/projecteternity's CSS will not apply there. r/projecteternity supports spoiler tags, which can be used to hide spoilers from other users until they mouse over the text, revealing it. Reported posts get looked at by the moderators faster.Īll content posted should be related to Pillars of Eternity and/or its sequels/expansions. Use the "Report" button to report any non-marked spoilers or other rule violations. For story spoilers in other threads, use Spoiler Tags as described in the section below. No story spoilers in titles! Mark threads or links that contain spoilers with a tag in the title. Pillars of Eternity aims to recapture the magic, imagination, depth, and nostalgia of classic RPGs. Paying homage to the great Infinity Engine games of years past: Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment. Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire are isometric, party-based RPGs set in a new fantasy world developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Welcome to the Pillars of Eternity Subreddit! 8/22/2023 0 Comments Ann arborm ifireThe salary range hasn't been set yet, but that will partly depend on qualifications, Ladner said. "We can use him partially until the end of the year. "The chief and I reviewed the posting for the position before it was formally announced," Ladner said. After an oral board, a recommendation on a candidate will be made to Ladner, who hires the fire chief. John Hieftje and City Administrator Roger Fraser are both fond of pointing out that the Ann Arbor Fire Department is, practically, obsolete. The city is currently in the process of seeking candidates for the chief position. They need to be safely and properly disposed of. With the assistant chief position being 24/7, he said he expects to be relocating to Ann Arbor. Recycle Right Do not put old fire extinguishers in curbside recycling bins. More: Nice ride: coloring contest winners get ride to school on fire engineĪ Brighton native, Kennedy moved to South Lyon when the chief position opened up in 2010. More: Fire chief pitched merging South Lyon/Lyon fire departments last year It has been a phenomenal experience, but this was a fantastic opportunity that I couldn't turn down," Kennedy said. There is a part-time chief who receives a salary in the high $30,000 range. Currently, the department has 21 paid on-call firefighters. The South Lyon Fire Department has no full-time employees. I know he wanted to be full time in the fire service. We wish him well in his future endeavors," City Manager Lynne Ladner said. He has done a tremendous job for South Lyon. Kennedy and his wife Tiffany don't have children, which Kennedy said is how he has been able to put in 70 hours a week handling both his jobs. "It's been a wonderful opportunity, but seven years of balancing both jobs." I knew what I was getting into," said Kennedy, whose last day with South Lyon will be Dec. "I like to say that being South Lyon fire chief has part-time pay with full-time responsibilities. No further additions to the records are expected.After seven years heading the South Lyon Fire Department, Chief Mike Kennedy is moving on to a full-time position as assistant fire chief with the Ann Arbor Fire Department.įormerly with the Brighton Fire Department, Kennedy's full-time position has been working in hazard emergency management for the University of Michigan. Additional records were received from different donors (donor nos. The bulk of these records came from the Ann Arbor Fire Department (donor no. In the later part of the nineteenth century, the fire department also had responsibility for administering poor relief in the city. The companies continued to do their work up into the 1880s. The names of other companies included the Defiance Hood and Ladder Company and the Mayflower Fire Engine Company. Prior to the establishment of a city fire department in 1854, volunteer fire companies did the work of putting out fires in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Also included are the names of the individuals who funded the relief fund. These poor relief volumes include the name of the recipient, the amount, and the items purchased. There are, in addition, scattered administrative records, including records of fires in the city, 1899-1962, and records of the poor relief administered by the department. The record group includes an early minute book of the fire department as well as minute books of various volunteer fire companies in the city. 8/22/2023 0 Comments Blue hydrangea paint by numberAnd the best part is that you have a clear, less cluttered, and less stressed body. Thanks to Paint By Numbers, will have the power to create the most beautiful piece of art. Step3: Stand Back and Marvel at your creation. Paint all areas with one color before moving to the next color. Step2: Match the number of the paint to the number of the area on the canvas (Be sure to correspond the number with the correct color). Step1: Get a comfortable flat desk or table in which to paint and lay your canvas down. We will provide you with an instruction manual that’s very easy to follow and no matter how good or poor you are at drawing, you will still create a beautiful and exquisite picture. Easy Drawing: You don’t need to have any basic skill of painting to do this. Even those who cannot paint can paint their feelings through this approach. Making your worries fade away temporarily. It is an amazingly easy way to relieve your daily stress and get pent-up emotions out.
8/22/2023 0 Comments Pictures of a shoebill storkA male will weigh on average around 5.6 kg (12 lb) and is larger than a typical female of 4.9 kg (11 lb). Weight has reportedly ranged from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). Length from tail to beak can range from 100 to 140 cm (39 to 55 in) and wingspan is 230 to 260 cm (7 ft 7 in to 8 ft 6 in). The shoebill is a tall bird, with a typical height range of 110 to 140 cm (43 to 55 in) and some specimens reaching as much as 152 cm (60 in). The shoebill's conspicuous bill is its most well-known feature All that is known of Eremopezus is that it was a very large, probably flightless bird with a flexible foot, allowing it to handle either vegetation or prey. It has been suggested that the enigmatic African fossil bird Eremopezus was a relative too, but the evidence for that is unconfirmed. So far, two fossilized relatives of the shoebill have been described: Goliathia from the early Oligocene of Egypt and Paludavis from the Early Miocene of the same country. A 2008 DNA study reinforces their membership of the Pelecaniformes. In 2003, the shoebill was again suggested as closer to the pelicans (based on anatomical comparisons) or the herons (based on biochemical evidence). Microscopic analysis of eggshell structure by Konstantin Mikhailov in 1995 found that the eggshells of shoebills closely resembled those of other Pelecaniformes in having a covering of thick microglobular material over the crystalline shells. Based on osteological evidence, the suggestion of a pelecaniform affinity was made in 1957 by Patricia Cottam. Traditionally considered as allied with the storks ( Ciconiiformes), it was retained there in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy which lumped a massive number of unrelated taxa into their "Ciconiiformes". Alternative common names are whalebill, shoe-billed stork and whale-headed stork. The genus name comes from the Latin words balaena "whale", and caput "head", abbreviated to -ceps in compound words. He placed the species in its own genus Balaeniceps and coined the binomial name Balaeniceps rex. Gould provided a more detailed description in the following year. John Gould very briefly described it in 1850 from the skin of a specimen collected on the upper White Nile by the English traveller Mansfield Parkyns. The shoebill may have been known to Ancient Egyptians but was not classified until the 19th century, after skins and eventually live specimens were brought to Europe. Molecular studies have found the hamerkop to be the closest relative of the shoebill. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |