An endemic species is a taxonomic unit whose natural distribution is restricted to a defined geographic area, such as a specific island, mountain range, ecoregion, or political region, and does not occur naturally elsewhere. In biogeography and conservation biology, endemism is used to quantify spatial patterns of biodiversity, identify centers of diversification, and prioritize regions for protection. Endemic species often exhibit high levels of local adaptation and evolutionary distinctiveness but are also disproportionately vulnerable to habitat alteration, invasive species, climate change, and other anthropogenic pressures due to their limited range and frequently small, fragmented populations.
Animal populations on small islands are often thought to be unlikely to survive in the long term. Continued exploitation of small islands—such as mining in Raja Ampat, West Papua—poses a serious threat to local wildlife.
Plants & Animals
Aug 4, 2025
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Oceanic islands are biologically unique and irreplaceable because they have never been connected to continental mainlands and often host endemic species. Human activities have considerably altered these ecosystems. Predator ...
Ecology
Jul 31, 2025
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Australia is home to some of the most remarkable species on Earth and importantly, many of these species don't exist anywhere else.
Plants & Animals
Jul 28, 2025
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A new gecko species, Paragehyra tsaranoro, has been discovered in Madagascar's Tsaranoro valley. As a microendemic species, it is restricted to only three small forest fragments in the region. This small species is under ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 24, 2025
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A study of the genetic basis of plague immunity in prairie dogs has broad implications for conservation. From white-nose syndrome in bats to avian malaria in Hawaiian birds, introduced pathogens are a major cause of population ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 8, 2025
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In a study published in Taiwania, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified two new species of flowering plants in the remote forests of Motuo County, Xizang ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 2, 2025
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Several gecko species found during a series of surveys in a remote region of Cambodia have been confirmed as new to science. And these new discoveries may not be the last in this potentially rich wildlife haven. The research ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 30, 2025
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A team of researchers led by Prof. Wang Wei from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) has revealed how unique native plant life on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has evolved over time, shedding ...
Evolution
Jun 24, 2025
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More than 4,000 tree species are found only in Mexico and Central America, or Mesoamerica. Research published in Plants, People, Planet reveals that nearly half of these tree species are threatened by extinction.
Plants & Animals
Jun 18, 2025
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A research team led by Professor Eiji Inoue from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University have conducted a study on the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi). The Japanese weasel is an endemic species to ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 13, 2025
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