Fauna of Connecticut

American robin

The fauna of Connecticut comprise a variety of animal species.

• The state bird is the American robin.
• The state insect is the European mantis.
• The state animal is the sperm whale.
• The state shellfish is the eastern oyster.
• The state fish is the American shad.
• The state fossil is the Eubrontes giganteus.

Biodiversity

There are, as of 2004, 256 Connecticut species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. These are 11 species of mammals,^[1] 50 species of birds,^[2] 11 species of reptiles,^[3] 7 species of amphibians,^[4] 7 species of fish,^[5] and 170 species of invertebrates.^[6]

Ancient life

Artist's depiction of a Dilophosaurus wetherelli

Notable sites preserving the prehistoric history of Connecticut include the Peabody Museum of Natural History and Dinosaur State Park.

Extinct species that once roamed Connecticut include Coelophysis,^[7] Dilophosaurus,^[7] and Eubrontes.^[8]

List of native species

Sources appear below.^[9]

Annelids

• Ampharete arctica
• Capitella capitata
• Capitellidae
• Eteone lactea
• Glycera dibranchiata
• Alitta (Nereis) succinea
• Opheliidae sp.
• Phyllodoce sp.
• Polydora sp.
• Scoloplos robustus
• Spio setosa
• Spionidae
• Streblospio benedicti
• Syllidae sp.

Arthropods

• Chiridotea spp.
• Gammarus sp.
• Neomysis americana
• Sphaeroma quadridentata

Mollusks

• Acteocina canaliculata
• Gemma gemma
• Nassarius obsoletus
• Mulinia lateralis
• Mya arenaria
• Nucula sp.
• Periploma papyratium
• Retusa canaliculata
• Tellina agillis

See also

• Flora of Connecticut
• List of birds of Connecticut
• List of mammals of Connecticut
• List of mammals of New England

References

1. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Mammals
2. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Birds
3. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Reptiles
4. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Amphibians
5. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Fish
6. • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Invertebrates
7. • Age of Dinosaurs Field Trip
8. • Aspects of Connecticut's Physical Geography
9. University of New Haven Student Projects - "Potential Impacts of the Proposed Galleria at Long Wharf on the Biological, Chemical, and Socioeconomic Aspects of the Local New Haven Environment" - Slide 7: Species List, by Sara Ignudo and Farah Refai, Fall 2000

Further reading

• Aspects of Connecticut's Physical Geography
• Connecticut Audubon Society
• Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Natural Diversity Data Base
• Fishes of the Connecticut River
• The Flora and Fauna of Branford