Endemism
Endemism is a term used in biology and ecology to describe the state in which a species, genus, or higher taxon is restricted to a particular geographic area. This can be due to factors such as isolation, habitat specificity, or historical events. Endemic species are often of great interest to conservationists due to their limited distribution and potential vulnerability to extinction.
Definition[edit | edit source]
The term "endemism" is derived from the Greek word "endemos", which means "native". In the context of biology and ecology, endemism refers to the phenomenon where a species, genus, or higher taxon is native to a single defined geographic location, such as an island, country, or other defined zone or habitat type.
Causes of Endemism[edit | edit source]
Endemism can occur for a variety of reasons. Some species may become endemic due to geographical isolation, such as being located on a remote island or mountain range. Other species may become endemic due to habitat specificity, where they are adapted to a specific type of environment that is not found elsewhere. Historical events, such as glaciation or tectonic shifts, can also lead to endemism by isolating populations and leading to speciation.
Types of Endemism[edit | edit source]
There are two main types of endemism: paleoendemism and neoendemism. Paleoendemism refers to species that were formerly widespread but are now restricted to a smaller area. Neoendemism refers to species that have recently arisen, such as through speciation, and are found only in a restricted area.
Endemism and Conservation[edit | edit source]
Endemic species are often a focus of conservation efforts because of their limited distribution and potential vulnerability to extinction. The loss of a single habitat can result in the extinction of an endemic species. Conservation strategies often aim to protect endemic species by preserving their habitats, establishing protected areas, and through captive breeding programs.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Endemism Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
