About the Taxon of the Month

This page features taxa (singular = taxon, i.e., organisms) on a monthly basis from across the Tree of Life, telling you about their biology, evolution, ecology and important role in our ecosystem. Most posts are prepared by researchers from all over the world who are actively researching these organisms ensuring that information presented here is firsthand. Posts are meant not only to expose you to the diversity of life on Earth but also give you a taste for the diversity of exciting scientific research happening in labs across the globe.

If you have questions about the information presented here, or would like to contact authors, please send an email to metropolitannturalhistory@gmail.com and we will put you in touch with them.

January - Potamopygus antipodarm - Dr. Deanna Soper - University of Dallas, Irving

January - Potamopygus antipodarm - Dr. Deanna Soper - University of Dallas, Irving

February - Grauer's Hornbill - Elise Morton - University of Florida, Gainesville

February - Grauer's Hornbill - Elise Morton - University of Florida, Gainesville

March - Ascetosporea - Dr. Yana Eglit Dalhousie University, Canada

March - Ascetosporea - Dr. Yana Eglit Dalhousie University, Canada

April - The House Cricket - Adam Brody

April - The House Cricket - Adam Brody

May - Pūkeko - Aileen Sweeney - The University of Auckland, New Zealand

May - Pūkeko - Aileen Sweeney - The University of Auckland, New Zealand

June - Alex Knight - Coccidia - The University of Auckland, New Zealand

June - Alex Knight - Coccidia - The University of Auckland, New Zealand

July - Poxvirus - Dr. Sara Reynolds, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ

July - Poxvirus - Dr. Sara Reynolds, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ

August - Darters - Kara Million, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

August - Darters - Kara Million, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

September - Mummuciidae - Dr. Ricardo Botero-Trujillo, American Museum of Natural History, NY

September - Mummuciidae - Dr. Ricardo Botero-Trujillo, American Museum of Natural History, NY