Endemic species.pptx

ENDEMIC SPECIES

1. Endemism By :- Sajid Khan B.Sc. Zoology(Hons.) 22/14040

2. What are Endemic species? -Endemic species are plant and animal species that are found in a particular geographical region and nowhere else in the world. -Some species are endemic to a continent while others can be endemic to an island. -Endemic animals and plants, whose vulnerability is enormous due to smaller populations, are key to their ecosystems and become a thermometer when it comes to measuring the state of health of a territory. For that reason, their protection from extinction threats is critical. -Endemic species are crucial to the health of our planet because of the enormous variety of living beings they contribute to the environment.

3. The main characteristics of Endemic species : Specific geographical area : They are species whose location is restricted to certain areas of the planet, which have the specific conditions to ensure their survival. Lower genetic exchange  : Natural barriers existing in a specific geographical area prevent genetic exchange and drive the emergence of endemism and its species. Higher vulnerability : By relying on very specific natural conditions and having a smaller number of specimens, they are more vulnerable to extinction. Unique evolution : Because of their isolation, these species end up acquiring unique traits derived from, for example, the diet or climate of the geographical area.

4. Why Endemic species found only in a specific area? An endemic species is confined to a certain area because they are highly adapted to the particular niche. They may eat only a certain type of plant that is found nowhere, or a plant is perfectly adapted to flourish in a very particular climate and soil type.

5. What causes Endemism? 1) Destruction of habitat 2) Increasing human population 3) Introduction of new species 4) Insularity 5) Geographic barriers Above factors may affect the natural habitat of endemic species by forcing them to adapt to new conditions and thereby endangering their existence.

6. SOME EXAMPLES OF ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA    

7. 1) RED-CROWNED ROOFED TURTLE The red-crowned roofed turtle or Bengal roof turtle is a species of freshwater turtle found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra River basins. At present in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only geographic area where the species is found in substantial numbers. It has suffered declines in population due to being harvested for meat and shells. Fewer than four hundred adult females are thought to remain in the wild, with the IUCN rating this turtle as being “Critically Endangered”. It is estimated to be a mere 600-1,700 mature population now.        Batagur kachuga

8. 2) WHITE-CHEEKED BARBET This brown-headed barbet has a distinctive supercilium, a broad white cheek stripe below the eye and an orange eye-ring. These barbets are arboreal and will rarely visit the ground. They obtain most of the water they need from their fruit diet. They are found in the forest areas of the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats and adjoining hills. Like all other Asian barbets, they are mainly frugivorous, but will take winged termites and other insects opportunistically. They use their bills to excavate nest cavities in trees . IUCN rating this barbet as of “Least Concern” with a “Stable” population trend. T        Megalaima virdis

9. 3)  FOREST OWLET The forest owlet is endemic to the forests of central India. The forest owlet appears to be strongly diurnal. On cold winter mornings, it basks on top of tall trees. It is threatened foremost by deforestation. It is a member of the typical owl family Strigidae , and was first described in 1873 . It is listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List since 2018 , as the population is estimated at less than 1,000 mature individuals.        Athene blewitti

10. 4) Grey junglefowl The grey junglefowl, also known as Sonnerat’s junglefowl, is one of the wild ancestors of the domestic chicken. Although these birds are plentiful, they are still hunted for meat and the long neck hackle feathers which are used for making fishing lures. This species is endemic to India, and even today it is found mainly in peninsular India and towards the northern boundary. Habitat loss is also another threat to the Grey Junglefowl. They are classed as of “Least Concern” by the IUCN, with “Declining” population trend.         Gallus Sonneratti

11. 5) White-Browed Gibbon These gibbons are very small arboreal creatures and the only apes found in India. It has long arms, almost double the length of its legs. Lifespan of gibbon is estimated to be about 25 years. Presently, due to decline in their population Hoolock Gibbons are native to North Eastern states of India. According to the estimated population there are about 2,600 gibbons in the Northeast India majority of which (about 2,000 ) are present in Assam. This species is “E ndangered” on the IUCN Red L ist of T hreatened species. Hoolock gibbon

12. 6) MALABAR LARGE SPOTTED CIVET The Malabar large-spotted civet also known as the Malabar civet, is a viverrid endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is dusky gray. It has a dark mark on the cheek, large transverse dark marks on the back and sides. The Malabar civet is considered nocturnal. Until a few decades ago, local merchants in Kerala reared Malabar civets to obtain “civetone”, an extract from the scent gland , which was used in medicine, and as an aromatic. It is now seriously threatened by habitat destruction and fragmentation. It is listed as Critically “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List as the population is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals. Viverra civettina

13. 7) BARE-BELLIED HEDGEHOG The bare-bellied hedgehog, also known as the Madras hedgehog, is a species of hedgehog that is endemic to dry arid regions and scrubby jungles in southeastern India. They are hunted locally in India for subsistence food and medicinal purposes. They are wildly perceived to be a cure for coughs, Tuberculosis and asthma. It was formerly listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. It is now known to be locally common in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu , resulting in its new listing as a species of “Least Concern”. Paraechinus nudiventris

14. 8) NARCONDAM HORNBILL The Narcondam hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae . It is endemic to the Indian island of Narcondam in the Andamans. Males and females have a distinct plumage. The Narcondam hornbill has the smallest home range out of all the species of Asian hornbills. With “Vulnerable” IUCN Rating, it’s population size is estimated to be around 50-250 individual birds only. Rhyticeros narcondami

15. 9) Pygmy Hog The pygmy hog is native to grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations of up to 300 m ( 980 ft). Today, the only known population lives in Assam, India. The Pygmy hog is the smallest and the rarest wild pig in the world. Its skin is dark brownish-black in color and the hair is dark. Pygmy hogs are diurnal and are omnivores. They feed on roots, tubers, insects and small reptiles. Human encroachment has largely destroyed their natural habitat by development, agriculture, domestic grazing, and deliberate fires. According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Pygmy hog is 100-150 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.        Porcula salvania

16. 10) NILGIRI WOOD PIGEON The Nilgiri wood pigeon is large pigeon found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. They are mainly frugivorous and forage in the canopy of dense hill forests. They are best identified in the field by their large size, dark colours and the distinctive checkerboard pattern on their nape. They are listed as “Vulnerable” in IUCN Red List with the estimated population to be around 2,500-10,000 individual birds.        Columba elphistonii

17. Summary and conclusion Many rare or endemic species have one or more of the following characteristics: (1) They have a narrow (or single) geographical range (2) They have only one or a few populations remaining (3) They show small population size and little genetic variability (4) They are usually over-exploited (over-hunted and over-harvested) by people (5) They exhibit declining population sizes (6) They have low reproductive ability (7) They show specialised niche demands (8) They grow in stable and nearly constant environments. All of these attributes, either alone or in combination, make a species prone to extinction at an increased rate. When habitats of a rare and/or endemic species are damaged and/or fragmented by mismanagement and various other human activities, the distribution ranges, population sizes, and genetic variability of the species will be reduced and its members will become vulnerable to extinction at a faster rate than other species .

18. 9) INDIAN SPOTTED CHEVROTAIN The Indian spotted chevrotain is a species of even-toed ungulate in the family Tragulidae. It lives in rainforests and is nocturnal. It has a body length of 57.5 cm with a 2.5 cm long tail length and weighs around 3 kg. It is estimated to be a mere 6,000-9,000 mature population now.        Moschiola indica

19. 10) NILGIRI WOOD PIGEON The Nilgiri wood pigeon is large pigeon found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. They are mainly frugivorous and forage in the canopy of dense hill forests. They are best identified in the field by their large size, dark colours and the distinctive checkerboard pattern on their nape. It is listed as “Vulnerable” in IUCN Red List with the estimated population to be around 2,500-10,000 individual birds.        Columba elphistonii

20. 4) MALABAR GLIDING FROG The Malabar gliding frog or Malabar flying frog is a rhacophorid tree frog species found in the Western Ghats of India.