Endemic Species: Definition, Examples, Features, Threats, List of 10 Most Endemic Species of India

Endemic Species of India Overview

Endemic species are those found only in one place and nowhere else on the planet. These species are typical of an environment and are frequently regarded as a biological legacy. According to sources, India has a total of 12 indigenous species. 

What are Species?

A species is a collection of closely related creatures that are quite similar to one another and can generally interbreed and produce viable offspring. The species is the first level of taxonomic categorization, following genus and subgenus. A species is an organism's primary unit of categorization, taxonomic rank, and biodiversity unit. It is the largest group of creatures in which any two individuals of the same sexes or mating types may produce viable offspring, usually by sexual reproduction. A species can also be identified by its karyotype, DNA sequence, anatomy, behavior, and ecological niche.

Endemic Species of India Definition

Endemism is the ecological condition in which a species is exclusive to a certain geographical place.

What are the Endemic Species of India?

Endemic species are those found only in one place and nowhere else on the planet. Kangaroos, for example, are indigenous to Australia and are found nowhere else on the planet. Humans introduced them when the animal was in captivity, which is why they have been seen beyond their normal environment. As previously said, endemic species are ones that can only be found in a certain region or site and nowhere else on the planet. Endangered species, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to extinction since they are unique to a certain geographical location. As a result, specific measures to conserve them may be necessary.

Examples of Endemic Species of India

Endemic species are restricted to a certain location because they are highly suited to a specific climate and soil type. A species may be endemic to a certain continent, a portion of a continent, or a single island. The following are some instances of indigenous species-

Endemic Species Flora of India

Flora is a group of plants found in a certain location. Plants can also be indigenous to certain geographic areas. Some plants grow in deserts or near water, some in hilly locations, while others are native to a certain region. The Redwood Forest of the United States West Coast is endemic, as it is found only in California. Sapria Himalayan is a unique and fascinating root parasitic plant found only in northeastern India. Nepenthes Khasiana is a carnivorous plant found only in Meghalaya's Khasi Hills.

Endemic Species Fauna of India

Animals that are native to a given location are referred to as "fauna." Endangered species of fauna are creatures that can only be found in a certain place or region of the world-

1. Small islands are home to the Galápagos tortoises and Madagascar lemurs. 
2. Antarctica, Hawaii, and Australia are all massive geographical masses that are home to many indigenous species.
3. Kangaroos are only found in Australia.
4. Polar bears are only found in the Arctic.

Features of Endemic Species of India

Different indigenous species throughout the world have the same characteristics- 

1. Because their ecological amplitude is relatively small, endemic species are restricted to a specific location.
2. As a result, endemic species are unable to spread to new areas.
3. Endangered animals have little genetic exchange and variety.
4. As a result, their genomes are saturated, and they lack the ability to migrate.
5. They are particularly vulnerable to extinction because they exist in specialized environmental settings with a small population.
6. Changes in living conditions are driving indigenous species to extinction.
7. Because of their seclusion, endemic species may develop distinctive characteristics that are exclusive to the climate of that location.

Threats on Endemic Species of India

Some of the most common dangers to endemic species include overexploitation of natural resources, such as overhunting, overfishing, and forest logging. Other dangers to these animals include-

1. Endemic species are important because their health indicates a geographical region's climatic status.
2. They are highly vulnerable to extinction due to their limited geographical distribution.
3. Because endemic species are genetically isolated and have fewer individuals, natural and artificial environmental changes may be devastating to them.
4. Other risks to the endemic species include hunting, poaching, habitat fragmentation, and the introduction of exotic species.
5. Due to all of these threats, endemic species demand a greater level of conservation care.

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List of 10 Most Endemic Species of India

India, being a mega biodiversity country, contains several micro centers for indigenous plants and animals. Endangered species may be found in the Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Western Himalayas. Almost 23% of flowering plants in India are indigenous, including a few Cycadaceae members. The Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats are home to over 60% of all endemic species in India. The following is a list of India's 10 most endemic species-

1. Asiatic Lion, Gir Forest: The Asiatic Lion, commonly known as the Indian Lion, can only be found in and around Gujarat's Gir Forest National Park. These are considered endangered species. These are two of India's five large cats, the others being Indian leopards and Bengal tigers.
2. Kashmir Stag, Kashmir Valley: The Kashmir Stag, also called Hangul, is found in the deep woods of Dachigum National Park, the Kashmir Valley, and the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
3. Lion-Tailed Macaque, Western Ghats: It is the rarest, most vulnerable, and most endangered primate species, located exclusively in southern India's Western Ghats. It is one of the most endangered and uncommon monkeys, with black hair and a silver-white mane around its neck and chin.
4. Purple Frog, Western Ghats: The purple frog, commonly known as the pig nose frog, is exclusively found in India's western ghat jungles. It spends most of its time underground. Purple frogs are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Purple frogs have a sucker-like mouth portion that distinguishes them.
5. Sangai Deer, Loktak Lake: It is also known as the brow-antlered deer. and is only found in Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park. This park is a marshy wetland near Loktak Lake's southern reaches.
6. Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills: The Nilgiri tahr is an ungulate that is only found in the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portions of the Western and Eastern Ghats in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is the Tamil Nadu state animal.
7. Pygmy Hog, Assam: It is an endangered species that can only be found in the Assam foothills. The sole members of the genus Porcula are the tiniest wild pigs.
8. Bronzeback Vine Snake, Western Ghats: The Bronzeback Vine Snake is a slightly poisonous snake that is only found in the Western Ghats. It is also known as the "bronze back" of the Western Ghats. This snake is a grassland snake that is minimally poisonous.
9. Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Hills: It is unique to the Nilgiri Hills' Shola woodlands and is also known as the Nilgiri Shortwing. It is found exclusively above 1200 m altitude in the Western Ghats' high-altitude grasslands. It is a critically endangered species.
10. Malabar Civet, Western Ghats: Malabar civets are endemic to the Western Ghats. Its IUCN status is critically endangered. The Malabar Civet is a nocturnal animal.

Points to Remember

1. Endemic species are those that are limited to a certain geographic area.
2. Because they have less variety and fewer individuals, they are especially vulnerable to extinction.
3. Endemic species have less genetic exchange, resulting in a saturated genome.
4. Endangered species are threatened by environmental changes as well as human activities such as hunting, poaching, and habitat fragmentation.
5. India has a large number of indigenous species spread throughout its several ecological regions.
6. The Asiatic Lion, Lion-tailed Macaque, Kashmir Stag, Indian Rhinoceros, and other indigenous species may be found in India.