Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. Species can be endemic to large or small areas of the earth: some are endemic to a particular continent, some to part of a continent, and others to a single island.
Full Answer
What is the meaning of endemic plants and animals?
Endemic plants and animals are species that are only found in a specific geographic region of the world, often an island. Explore the definition and meaning of endemic, learn about endemic diseases, and find examples of endemic plants and animals around the globe.
What are the different types of endemic species?
There are three types of endemic species: plants, animals, and diseases. Endemic flora are plants that evolved in environments with a unique mix of soil types and climate patterns, in addition to being geographically isolated. Tropical and dry islands host the highest number of endemic plants in the world.
What is the difference between indigenous and endemic species?
Like indigenous species, an endemic species is also regarded as a type of native species. Endemic species are also known as precinctive. These organisms are only found in certain areas (ie. isolated islands), either large or small in terms of area, and are at an elevated risk of suffering from the possibility of extinction.
Where do endemic plants live in the Great Basin?
Endemic Plants. It has been found in Great Basin National Park, mostly in the Mount Washington and Lincoln Canyon areas. It is sensitive species, species of concern, and a Nevada Special Status Species. Populations are threatened by recreational use of alpine areas and domestic sheep grazing, especially on the Murphy Wash allotment.
What are Endemic Species?
The definition of endemic species is any organism that inhabits only one geographical area on Earth. That geographical area may be as large as a continent or as small as an island. Endemic species exist under the following two conditions below.
Endemic Species versus Native Species
The term native species means the organism evolved naturally within the location it is found, without any human interference. Native species can be endemic to a specific area but not all native species are endemic. For instance, white-tailed deer are native to almost every state in the U.S.A. plus the southern section of Canada.
Types of Endemic Species
There are three types of endemic species: plants, animals, and diseases.
How many species of plants are there in Death Valley?
Death Valley is the hottest and driest places in North America, yet it is home to over 1000 species of plants and 440 species of animals. The Park encompasses over three million acres and ranges in elevation from 282 feet below sea level to 11,049 feet above sea level. This provides a variety of habitats in which plants ...
Is Death Valley a plant or animal?
This provides a variety of habitats in which plants and animals have become established. Although most of Death Valley’s plant and animal species can be found growing in other places, there are a few that exist only in the Death Valley region and nowhere else in the world. These are referred to as “endemic” to the area.
What is an endemic species?
Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. Species can be endemic to large or small areas of the earth: some are endemic to a particular continent, some to part of a continent, and others to a single island. Usually an area that contains endemic species is isolated in some way, ...
How do animals become endemic?
Animals and plants can become endemic in two general ways. Some evolve in a particular place, adapting to the local environment and continuing to live within the confines of that environment. This type of endemism is known as "autochthonous," or native to the place where it is found. An "allochthonous" endemic species, by contrast, ...
What is the term for allochthonous endemics?
Another simpler term for allochthonous endemics is "relict, " meaning something that is left behind. In addition to geographic relicts, plants or animals that have greatly restricted ranges today, there are what is known as "taxonomic relicts.".
How do endemic species evolve?
A species or genus that finds itself on a remote island can evolve to take advantage of local food sources or environmental conditions , or its characteristics may simply drift away from those of related species because of a lack of contact and interbreeding. Darwin's Galapagos finches, for instance, are isolated on small islands, and on each island a unique species of finch has evolved. Each finch is now endemic to the island on which it evolved. Expanses of water isolated these evolving finch species, but other sharp environmental gradients can contribute to endemism, as well. The humid southern tip of Africa, an area known as the Cape region, has one of the richest plant communities in the world. A full 90% of the Cape's 18,500 plant species occur nowhere else. Separated from similar habitat for millions of years by an expanse of dry grasslands and desert , local families and genera have divided and specialized to exploit unique local niches. Endemic speciation, or the evolution of locally unique species, has also been important in Australia, where 32% of genera and 75% of species are endemic. Because of its long isolation, Australia even has family-level endemism, with 40 families and sub-families found only on Australia and a few nearby islands.
Why are endemic animals and plants vulnerable to human invasion and habitat destruction?
Because endemic animals and plants by definition have limited geographic ranges, they can be especially vulnerable to human invasion and habitat destruction. Island species are especially vulnerable because islands commonly lack large predators, and many island endemics evolved without defenses against predation.
How many species of elephants are there?
Elephants are taxonomic relicts: millions of years ago the family Elephantidae had 25 different species (including woolly mammoths) in five genera. Today only two species remain, one living in Africa ( Loxodonta africana ) and the other in Asia ( Elephas maximus ).
What is the narrowest taxonomic classification?
These levels of classification are known as "taxonomic" levels. Species is the narrowest taxonomic classification, with each species closely adapted to its particular environment . Therefore species are often endemic to small areas and local environmental conditions. Genera, a broader class, are usually endemic to larger regions.
What is an endemic species?
Endemic species are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region. Species can be endemic to large or small areas of the world. Some may be endemic to the particular continent; some are endemic to a part of a continent, and others to a single island.
Why are endemic species important?
An endemic species are important because they are in the habitats restricted to a particular area due to climate change, urban development or other occurrences. Endemic species are often endangered, so it is important to save the species.
How many species of elephants are there?
Elephants are taxonomic relict. Millions of years ago the Elephantidae family had 25 different species. But, today only two species remain one living in Asia and others in Africa. Likewise, horses are another familiar species whose family had many more branches.
What is the classification of a species?
These levels of categorization or classification are known as taxonomic levels. Species is the definite taxonomic classification, with each species closely modified or adapted to its particular environment. Therefore, the species are endemic to small areas and local environmental conditions.
What is a species?
A Species is a group of strongly related organisms that are very similar to each other and are usually capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The species is the basic category of taxonomic classification, ranking below genus or subgenus.
What are the wild animals that live in India?
Endemic wild species of India also include Gooty Tarantula, Fan Throated Lizard, Tokay Gecko, and Common Krait Snake etc. The Indian Subcontinent is home to 25 species of Deer’s, 15 species of Monkey’s, 15 species of the cat family, 6 species of Bears, and 5 species of canid.
Why are some endemic species at risk of destruction?
Because of the area of expertise and inability to move into new habitats, some endemic species are at particular risk of destruction when a new disease hits, when the habitats quality is threatened, or if an invasive species enters its region and becomes a competitor or predator. Here is the list of wild animals found in India ...
What are the threats to the alpine tundra?
Designated a sensitive species and species of concern, threats include sheep grazing and recreational use of alpine areas , especially illegal ORV use in alpine tundra habitats. Nachlinger's catchfly (Silene nachlingerae) This flowering plant is found in central Great Basin ranges like the Snake and Ruby.
Where is Holgrem's Buckwheat found?
It is found in quartzite and limestone talus in alpine and subalpine areas. Threats include sheep grazing and recreational use of alpine areas. Species Endemic to the Great Basin Region.
What are the threats of the Great Basin?
Threats include sheep grazing and recreational use of alpine areas. Species Endemic to the Great Basin Region. In addition to those above: Nevada primrose (Primula nevadensis) This is a rare and local perennial flower with a small range that includes only Nye County and White Pine County, home of Great Basin National Park.
Where can I find wheelerensis in Nevada?
It has been found in only a few locations in the park in alpine and subalpine environments. Threats include livestock grazing and recreational use of alpine areas. Holgrem's buckwheat (eriogonum holmgrenii)
How are mountain ranges separated from other mountains?
Mountain ranges are separated from other mountains by "seas" of desert, across which plant and animal migration is difficult due to the dramatic differences in environment between the high elevations and the basins below. Each mountain range behaves much like an island, where species are trapped.
Why are endemic plants so special?
Endemic plants are special because they are found in only one location on the planet, and nowhere else. Great Basin National Park is home to several endemic plant and animal species. The "sky island" geography of the Great Basin region lends itself to large numbers of highly specialized species. Mountain ranges are separated from other mountains by ...
Where is Pennell's Whitlowgrass native to?
Pennell's whitlowgrass (Draba pennellii) Endemic specifically to the Schell Creek Range, this flowering native species can also been seen throughout White Pine County. Its presence in the park is possible, but unconfirmed.
Where are hummingbirds found?
Where: Colombia. This beautiful, almost fluorescent blue and green bird is a species of hummingbird endemic to southern Colombia. Sclater’s Monkey. Where: Nigeria. Only 11 small populations of this species of monkey have been confirmed to exist.
Where are pygmy sloths found?
Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth. Where: Panama. The smallest of the sloths, this slow mover is endemic to Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small island off the coast of Panama. In fact, it has been separate from the mainland of Panama for 9,000 years!
How many pandas are there in the world?
Though they are endemic to China, 27 zoos in 21 countries have giant pandas as part of worldwide conservation program, including three gian t pandas who live at the Smithsonian National Zoo. There are fewer than 1,900 alive in the wild today. Giant Pandas. Norway Lemming. Where: Norway.
What is the fourth largest rodent in the world?
The Patagonian mara may look like a cross between a kangaroo and a rabbit, but this herbivore is actually a large rodent. In fact, they are the fourth-largest rodent in the world, measuring about 18 inches in height. Patagonian Mara . Southern Adder. Where: South Africa.
What is an endemic species?
An endemic species is one that exists only within a specific place, region, or geographic area. This area can range in any size, from a particular ecosystem to an entire continent, but the species in question only resides there. For example, if a given animal is endemic to Thailand, that animal would only be found within Thailand and not outside it.
Which region has the most endemic species?
Regions With An Abundance Of Endemic Species. Australia is home to many endemic species, wombats being among them. Remote areas which have more endemic species than others are often islands or island nations. The islands of Hawaii, as well as the entire Australia continent have some of the highest levels of endemic species.
How Do Species Become Endemic?
Marine iguana on the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The species is endemic to the Galapagos.
How many species are extinct when one endemic species goes extinct?
Estimates suggest that when one endemic plant species goes extinct, between 10 and 30 additional animal species become extinct .
Why are endemic species only found in one region?
Because endemic species are only found within one region, areas that have more endemic species tend to be in more remote or isolated regions. Islands, peninsulas, or extreme habitats are more likely to have endemic species living there as the animals have had less (or perhaps no) opportunity to travel outside of their original habitats.
What is an autochthonous species?
Autochthonous. An autochthonous species is one that is native to the region in which it is found. This means that it evolved in that area and adapted to that particular habitat or environment. Over time, the animal may have adapted to changes within that environment, but it did not migrate or expand its range significantly from ...
What are some examples of endemic animals in Australia?
For Australia, there are many examples of endemic species, including wombats, koalas, the platypus, echidnas, and the kangaroo. The endemic nature of these creatures is in large part why Australia is so strongly associated with many of these animals - simply put, it is the only place where they can be found naturally.
What is an endemic species?
Endemic Species. Like indigenous species, an endemic species is also regarded as a type of native species. Endemic species are also known as precinctive. These organisms are only found in certain areas (ie. isolated islands), either large or small in terms of area, and are at an elevated risk of suffering from the possibility of extinction.
What are some examples of native species?
An example of a native species in regards to animals is the koala. This particular marsupial is native to Australia and was not introduced to the country by any type of human activity or intervention.
Why are indigenous species considered to be more widely dispersed and adaptable?
Because of the unique evolutionary processes they have undergone indigenous plants and animals are considered to be strong enough to adjust to diverse surroundings ...
What is a native plant?
The term “native” refers to an organism which is found in a localized area and inhabits a small ecosystem.
Why do native plants grow in specific areas?
Native plants may come to grow in specific areas due to an array of environmental factors such as their seeds being blown there by the wind, the natural process of evolution, or even being carried from region to region by animals.
Can an organism be indigenous to a specific region?
Organisms can be indigenous to a variety of places at the same time and therefore not limited by area or the time period in which they exist. If, for example, a particular species can be found in a variety of regions throughout the world it is classified as being indigenous to those specific areas rather than being deemed as endemic. ...
Is the Galápagos mockingbird an endemic species?
The Galápagos mockingbird is an example of an endemic species.
Found only Within The Boundaries of Death Valley National Park
Plants with The Majority of Their Range Within Death Valley National Park
- Death Valley Sticky Ring (Anulocaulis annulatus)
- Darwin Mesa Milkvetch (Astragalus atratus var. mensanus)
- Black Milkvetch (Astragalus funereus)
- Gilman’s Milkvetch(Astragalus gilmanii)
Restricted to Death Valley and Surrounding Counties
- Amargosa Pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae)
- Panamint Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys panamintinus panamintinus)
Introduction
- Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. Species can be endemic to large or small areas of the earth: some are endemic to a particular continent, some to part of a continent, and others to a single island. Usually an area that contains endemic species is isolated in some way, so that species have difficulty s...
Scope
- Biologists who study endemism do not only consider species, the narrowest classification of living things; they also look at higher level classifications of genus, family, and order. These hierarchical classifications are nested so that, in most cases, an order of plants or animals contains a number of families, each of these families includes several genera (plural of \"genus\"), and each genus …
Distribution
- Species is the narrowest taxonomic classification, with each species closely adapted to its particular environment . Therefore species are often endemic to small areas and local environmental conditions. Genera, a broader class, are usually endemic to larger regions. Families and orders more often spread across continents. As an example, the order Rodentia, o…
Types
- Animals and plants can become endemic in two general ways. Some evolve in a particular place, adapting to the local environment and continuing to live within the confines of that environment. This type of endemism is known as \"autochthonous,\" or native to the place where it is found. An \"allochthonous\" endemic species, by contrast, originated somewhere else but has lost most of i…
Evolution
- In addition to geographic relicts, plants or animals that have greatly restricted ranges today, there are what is known as \"taxonomic relicts.\" These are species or genera that are sole survivors of once-diverse families or orders. Elephants are taxonomic relicts: millions of years ago the family Elephantidae had 25 different species (including woolly mammoths) in five genera. Today only t…
Flora and fauna
- Especially high rates of endemism are found on long-isolated islands, such as St. Helena, New Caledonia, and the Hawaiian chain. St. Helena, a volcanic island near the middle of the Atlantic, has only 60 native plant species, but 50 of these exist nowhere else. Because of the island's distance from any other landmass, few plants have managed to reach or colonize St. Helena. S…
Conservation
- Because endemic animals and plants by definition have limited geographic ranges, they can be especially vulnerable to human invasion and habitat destruction. Island species are especially vulnerable because islands commonly lack large predators, and many island endemics evolved without defenses against predation. Cats, dogs, and other carnivores introduced by sailors have …
Sources
- Berry, E. W. \"The Ancestors of the Sequoias.\" Natural History 20 (1920): 153-55. Brown, J. H., and A. C. Gibson. Biogeography. St. Louis: Mosby, 1983.