Madagascar Banana :: Ensete perrieri

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 064

On today’s show we learn about the Madagascar Banana, a critically endangered flowering plant native to the island nation of Madagascar roughly 250 miles off the southeastern coast of the African mainland.

1. (00:05) Intro
2. (02:05) Species Information
3. (21:33) Citations
4. (22:58) Music
5. (29:37) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

1. Allen, R. 2018. Ensete perrieri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T98249345A98249347. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T98249345A98249347.en
2. Allen, Richard; Clarkson, James J; Ralimanana, Hélène (6 July 2018). "The critically endangered Madagascar Banana". Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. - https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/madagascan-banana
3. Borrell, James S et al. “Enset in Ethiopia: a poorly characterized but resilient starch staple.” Annals of Botany v.123, no.5 (2019): 747-766. - https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy214
4. Grubb, Peter J. “Interpreting some outstanding features of the flora and vegetation of Madagascar.” Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics v.6 no.1-2. p 125-146. 2003. – https://doi.org/10.1078/1433-8319-00046
5. Humbert, H., and Jean-François Leroy. 1936. Flore de Madagascar et Des Comores : Plantes Vasculaires. Tananarive: Imprimerie officielle. – https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8099122
6. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Andrefana Dry Forests - 2025 Conservation Outlook Assessment. IUCN World Heritage Outlook. October 11, 2025. – https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/explore-sites/andrefana-dry-forests
7. Musée colonial de Marseille. 1907. Annales du Muśee colonial de Marseille. Vol. ser. 2 v. 7. Marseille: Faculté des sciences de Marseille, Musée colonial. – https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/45311062
8. UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. World Heritage Datasheet: Tsingy De Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. -

Spoon-billed Sandpiper :: Calidris pygmaea

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 063

On today’s show we learn about the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a critically endangered migratory avian, a bird native to breeding ground in far northeastern Russia in the Chukotka autonomous district, that migrates to summer in Southeast Asia, in Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar and China.

1. (00:05) Intro
2. (02:05) Species Information
3. (25:24) Citations
4. (27:20) Music
5. (35:19) Pledge

For more information about Spoon-billed Sandpiper conservation see the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at https://wwt.org.uk/.

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

1. Animal Diversity Web at the University of Michigan. Labuda, C. 2023. "Eurynorhynchus pygmeus". https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eurynorhynchus_pygmeus/
2. Bird Conservation International v.20, no. 2 (2010): 95–111. Zöckler, Christoph, Evgeny E. Syroechkovskiy, And Philip W. Atkinson. “Rapid and Continued Population Decline in the Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus Pygmeus Indicates Imminent Extinction Unless Conservation Action Is Taken.” – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270910000316
3. Bird Conservation International v.26, no. 4 (2016): 476–89. Zöckler, Christoph, Alison E. Beresford, Gillian Bunting, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Nigel A. Clark, Vivian Wing Kan Fu, Tony Htin Hla, et al. “The Winter Distribution of the Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Calidris Pygmaeus.” – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270915000295
4. Bird Conservation International v.28, no. 2 (2018): 251–62. Chowdhury, Sayam U., Mohammad Foysal, M Abdullah Abu Diyan, And Sakib Ahmed. “Discovery of an Important Wintering Site of the Critically Endangered Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Calidris Pygmaea in the Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh.” – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270917000247
5. Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. van Gils, J., P. Wiersma, C. J. Sharpe, and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). – https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.spbsan1.01
6. Diversity v. 15, no. 4: 584. Loktionov, Egor Y., Roland A. Digby, Nickolay N. Yakushev, Ivan A. Shepelev, Jodie P. Clements, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Nigel S. Jarrett, Nigel A. Clark, Rhys E. Green, Elena G. Lappo, and et al. 2023. "Evaluating the...

Mulanje Cedar :: Widdringtonia whytei

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 062

On today’s show we learn about the Mulanje Cedar, a critically endangered conifer tree native to the African nation of Malawi, specifically to Mount Mulanje in the southeast.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (23:53) Citations
• (25:52) Music
• (32:02) Pledge

For more information about Mount Mulanje conservation, please see the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust at https://mountmulanje.org.mw

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Bayliss, Julian, Steve Makungwa, Joy Hecht, David Nangoma, and Carl Bruessow. “Saving the Island in the Sky: The Plight of the Mount Mulanje Cedar Widdringtonia Whytei in Malawi.” Oryx 41, no. 1 (2007): 64–69. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605307001548
• Burger, Niel. “Disturbance ecology and size-class structure of the Mulanje cedar of Malawi, Widdringtonia whytei, and associated broadleaved forest.” Botany honours project 2010. University of Cape Town. – http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24397
• Chanyenga, Tembo F., Coert J. Geldenhuys, and Gudeta W. Sileshi. “Effect of Population Size, Tree Diameter and Crown Position on Viable Seed Output per Cone of the Tropical Conifer Widdringtonia Whytei in Malawi.” Journal of Tropical Ecology 27, no. 5 (2011): 515–20. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467411000204
• Chanyenga, T., Shaw, K. & Mitole, I. 2019. “Widdringtonia whytei.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T33216A126090798. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T33216A126090798.en
• CNN. “Saving Malawi’s Mulanje Cedar.” October 2025. Inside Africa S21 E21. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTNGckdP7kk
• Earle, Christopher J., ed. "Widdringtonia whytei." The Gymnosperm Database. February 10, 2025. – https://conifers.org/cu/Widdringtonia_whytei.php.
• Farjon, A. 2019. “Widdringtonia whytei.” Threatened Conifers of The World – https://threatenedconifers.rbge.org.uk/conifers/widdringtonia-whytei
• Frank, Fred & Mwabumba, Lusayo & Mhango, Jarret & Missanjo, Edward & Kadzuwa, Henry & Likoswe, Michael. (2023). “Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Growth Traits of Widdringtonia whytei-Rendle Translocation Provenance Trials in Malawi.” Journal of Global Ecology and Environment. Volume 17, Issue 4. 32-48. – https://doi.org/10.56557/jogee/2023/v17i48222
• Martin, Emma, and Burgess, Neil. "Mulanje Montane Forest-Grassland." One Earth. September 23, 2020. – https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/mulanje-montane-forest-grassland
• Mitrani, Leila. 2017. “Reproduction and establishment of two endangered African cedars, Widdringtonia cedarbergensis and...

Corsican Bat :: Myotis Nustrale

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 061

On today’s show we learn about the Corsican Bat, a critically endangered flying mammal native to the French island territory of Corsica in the Mediterranean Ocean.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (30:46) Citations
• (32:42) Music
• (40:26) Pledge

For more information about Corsican Bat conservation see the Corsica Bat Group, in French: Groupe Chiroptères Corse at https://chauvesouriscorse.fr

Big thanks and deep gratitude to Kate Derrick at the Corsica Bat Group for sharing her expertise, insights and her work with us. It was so inspiring to speak with her.

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Aulagnier, S., Beuneux, G. & Russo, D. 2024. Myotis nustrale. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T248107314A248107503. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T248107314A248107503.en
• Derrick, K. Groupe Chiroptères Corse (Community Manager, Communications Manager, Scientific Officer). Interview by Joshua Dumas, October 30, 2025
• Derrick, K. and Beuneux, G. 2024. L’espèce endémique de Corse, Myotis nustrale, enfin décrite officiellement ! Envol des Chiros 36: 12-13. – https://www.sfepm.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/EDC36.pdf
• Groupe chiroptères Corse, 2019 - Programme d'étude concernant l'amélioration des connaissances sur l'écologie d'une nouvelle espèce de chauve-souris endémique à la Corse : Myotis sp. C (ex - Myotis nattereri) - Année 2018 – https://gaia.oec.fr/documents/39037ba8a97630e6c387281c39766ece.pdf
• Javier Juste, Manuel Ruedi, Sébastien J. Puechmaille, Irene Salicini, Carlos Ibáñez "Two New Cryptic Bat Species within the Myotis nattereri Species Complex (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) from the Western Palaearctic," Acta Chiropterologica, 20(2), 285-300, (14 February 2019) – https://doi.org/10.3161/15081109ACC2018.20.2.001
• Martinetti, Jean-Michel dir. Belle de Nuit. France 3 Corse ViaStella and Mediterranean Dream Productions, 2024. 52 min – https://www.france.tv/france-3/corse-viastella/corsica-salvatica/6717952-regards-croises-sur-le-monde-animal.html
• Office de l'Environnement de la Corse. Faune Sauvage de Corse. Murin de Corse. – https://faunesauvagedecorse.oec.fr/Espece_mpage_224_idtaxon,4905.htm
• One Earth – https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/corsican-montane-broadleaf-and-mixed-forests/
• Schmidbauer, P., & Denzinger, A. (2019). Social calls of Myotis nattereri during swarming: Call structure mirrors the different behavioral context. PloS one, 14(9), e0221792. –

Erubia :: Solanum ensifolium

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 060

On today’s show we learn about the Erubia, a critically endangered flowering shrub native to the US island territory of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (19:24) Citations
• (21:02) Music
• (26:42) Pledge

For more information about conservation in Puerto Rico, please visit Para la Naturaleza at https://paralanaturaleza.org

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Eastern Connecticut State University – https://www.easternct.edu/news/_stories-and-releases/2025/01-january/easterns-greenhouse-is-a-sanctuary-for-imperiled-plants.html
• Gann, G.D. 2024. Solanum ensifolium. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T212065930A253642712. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T212065930A253642712.en
• Graham, M.R., Kaur, N., Jones, C.S. et al. A phoenix in the greenhouse: characterization and phylogenomics of complete chloroplast genomes sheds light on the putatively extinct-in-the-wild Solanum ensifolium (Solanaceae). BMC Plant Biology 25, 320 (2025). – https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06338-8
• The Institute for Regional Conservation – https://www.regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPagePR.asp?TXCODE=Solaensi
• Jankauski Mark, Ferguson Riggs, Russell Avery and Buchmann Stephen. 2022. Structural dynamics of real and modelled Solanum stamens: implications for pollen ejection by buzzing bees. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. Volume 19 Issue 188. 1920220040 – http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2022.0040
• National Science Foundation’s Solanaceae Source – https://solanaceaesource.myspecies.info/content/solanum-ensifolium
• Pascarella, John & Aide, T. Mitchell & Serrano, Mayra & Zimmerman, Jess. (2000). Land-Use History and Forest Regeneration in the Cayey Mountains, Puerto Rico. Ecosystems. 3. 217-228. – https://doi.org/10.1007/s100210000021
• Rosario, Lumariz Hernandez, Juan O. Rodríguez Padilla, Desiree Ramos Martínez, Alejandra Morales Grajales, Joel A. Mercado Reyes, Gabriel J. Veintidós Feliu, Benjamin Van Ee, and Dimuth Siritunga. "DNA Barcoding of the Solanaceae Family in Puerto Rico Including Endangered and Endemic Species." Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 144, no. 5 (2019): 363–374. – https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS04735-19
• Strickland-Constable, R., Schneider, H., Ansell, S.W., Russell, S.J. and Knapp, S. (2010), Species identity in the Solanum bahamense species group (Solanaceae, Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum). Taxon. 59. 209-226. –

Chinese Alligator :: Alligator sinensis

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 059

On today’s show we learn about the Chinese Alligator, critically endangered reptile native to the Yangtze River system in the Anhui Province of southeastern China.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (29:21) Citations
• (31:12) Music
• (38:25) Pledge

For more information about Chinese Alligator conservation, see the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group at https://www.iucncsg.org.

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Encyclopedia Britannica – https://www.britannica.com/animal/Chinese-alligator
• Groppi, L. 2006. "Alligator sinensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. – https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Alligator_sinensis/
• Jiang, H.-X. & Wu, X. 2018. Alligator sinensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T867A3146005. - https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T867A3146005.en
• Kabir, Ashraful. Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) (Fauvel, 1879) (Reptilia: Alligatoridae): Captive Breeding as Well as its Rehabilitation. International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology. Volume 8, Issue 2, 2024, PP 5-8. – https://doi.org/10.20431/2454-941X.0802002
• Lau, Erika Y. X., Josh A. Hodge, Jonathan P. Rio, Tao Pan, Philip D. Mannion, and Samuel T. Turvey. “Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Identify Land-Use Threats to the Last Wild Population of the Chinese Alligator Alligator Sinensis.” Oryx, 21 February 2025, 1–10. – https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605324000978
• Liu, V. H. (2013). Chinese Alligators: Observations at Changxing Nature Reserve & Breeding Center. Reptiles & Amphibians, 20(4), 172-183. – https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v20i4.13965
• Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (n.d.). Chinese alligator. – https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/chinese-alligator
• Sun, K., Li, M., Wang, Z., Sun, S., Yang, J., Wu, X., & Pan, T. (2025). Habitat Integrity Challenges for the Chinese Alligator Amid Land Occupation by Human: Pathways for Protection. Ecology and Evolution, 15 (3), e71113. – https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71113
• Thorbjarnarson, John, and Wang Xiaoming. “The Conservation Status of the Chinese Alligator.” Oryx 33, no. 2 (1999): 152–59. – https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3008.1999.00051.x
• Thorbjarnarson, John & Wang, Xiaoming & He, Lijun. (2001). Reproductive Ecology of the Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) and Implications for Conservation. Journal of Herpetology. 35 (4). 553. – https://doi.org/10.2307/1565892
• Xianyan Wang, Ding Wang, Xiaobing Wu, Renping Wang,...

Cork Palm :: Microcycas Calocoma

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 058

On today’s show we learn about the Cork Palm, a critically endangered tree native to the island of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (23:01) Citations
• (24:23) Music
• (32:42) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Ania Pinares, Jorge González-Astorga, Andrew P. Vovides, Julio Lazcano, Wagner A. Vendrame, Genetic diversity of the endangered endemic Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A. DC (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): Implications for conservation. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 37, Issue 4, 2009, Pages 385-394. – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2009.07.006
• Botanical Gazette v.44 no.2, 118-141. (1907). “Microcycas Calocoma". Otis W. Caldwell. – https://doi.org/10.1086/329295
• Botanical Gazette v. 47 no.2, 139-147. (1909). “Vascular Anatomy of the Seedling of Microcycas calocoma”. Helen Angela Dorety. – https://doi.org/10.1086/329818
• Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 125, Issue 3, November 1997, Pages 201–210. “Pollination of endangered Cuban cycad Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A.DC,”. Andrew P. Vovides, Nisao Ogata, Victoria Sosa, Esperanza Peña-García. – https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1997.tb02254.x
• Bösenberg, J.D. 2022. Microcycas calocoma (errata version published in 2023). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T42107A243384251. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T42107A243384251.en
• Cycad Newsletter Vol. 14, No. 2 (November 1991) “Microcycas calocoma: Portrait of a Species”. Garrie Landry. – https://cycad.org/content/newsletter/
• Horttechnology. v. 21. 474-481. “Palma Corcho: A Case Study in Botanic Garden Conservation Horticulture and Economics. “ Kay, Judy & Strader, Arantza & Murphy, Vickie & Nghiem-Phu, Lan & Calonje, Michael & Griffith, M.. (2011). – http://dx.doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.21.4.474
• Insecta Mundi. v. 70. "A new species of Pharaxonotha (Coleoptera: Erotylidae), probable pollinator of the endangered Cuban cycad, Microcycas calocoma (Zamiaceae)". Chavez, Ramiro and Genaro, Julio A. (2005). – https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/70
• Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcycas

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Enigma Moth :: Aenigmatinea glatzella

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 057

On today’s show we learn about the Enigma Moth, a critically endangered insect native to Kangaroo Island off the southern coast of Australia.

• (00:05) Intro
• (02:05) Species Information
• (21:20) Citations
• (22:49) Music
• (27:51) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

• Enigma Moth Factsheet. Landscape Board South Australia – https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ki/native-plants-and-animals/supporting-biodiversity
• Glatz, R. & Young, D.A. 2021. Aenigmatinea glatzella. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T189533430A195997220. – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T189533430A195997220.en
• Hill, Robert & Scriven, L.J.. (1998). The fossil record of conifers in Australia. Flora of Australia. 48. 527-537. - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284428816_The_fossil_record_of_conifers_in_Australia
• Glatz, R. V., Fagan-Jeffries, E. P., Tetley, S. P. & Austin, A. D. (2022) Enigma moth parasitoid: a new Australian cyclostome genus and species, Ovaustra aurantia Tetley, Glatz & Fagan Jeffries, gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Kangaroo Island. Austral Entomology, 61: 420–432. – https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12627
• Taylor, G. S., Braby, M. F., Moir, M. L., Harvey, M. S., Sands, D. P. A., New, T. R., Kitching, R. L., McQuillan, P. B., Hogendoorn, K., Glatz, R. V., Andren, M., Cook, J. M., Henry, S. C., Valenzuela, I., and Weinstein, P. (2018) Strategic national approach for improving the conservation management of insects and allied invertebrates in Australia. Austral Entomology, 57: 124–149. https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12343
• Tensen, N.P., Hilton, D.J., Kallies, A., Milla, L., Rota, J., Wahlberg, N., Wilcox, S.A., Glatz, R.V., Young, D.A., Cocking, G., Edwards, T., Gibbs, G.W. And Halsey, M. (2015), A New Extant Family Of Primitive Moths From Kangaroo Island, Australia, And Its Significance For Understanding Early Lepidoptera Evolution. Systematic Entomology, 40 (1): 5-16. – https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12115
• Tressider, V. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. 10 March 2015. Small, beautiful, new and very old: meet the Enigma moth. – https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2015/march/small-beautiful-new-and-very-old-meet-the-enigma-moth
• Warne, K. National Geographic. January 17, 2020. 60 hours on burning Kangaroo Island. – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/kangaroo-island-wildfires-dispatch
• Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_Island &