Spatial patterns of paleo-, neo-, mixed and super-endemism. Of the 4,306 islands included in this study, only 142 (i.e. 3.3% of all islands analyzed) were found to belong to one of the four
More than 11,000 endemic plant species, including seven species of baobab tree, share the island with a vast variety of mammal, reptiles, amphibians, and others. From 1999 to 2010, scientists discovered 615 new species in Madagascar, including 41 mammals and 61 reptiles. 1) Sifaka lemurs . Perhaps one of Madagascar’s most famous endemic wildlife species, lemurs are synonymous with this African island. Their name comes from the Roman word lemures, translating to ghosts – relating to their slow habits and nocturnal nature. The island of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa, is home to many endemic species of plants and animals since of its relative isolation after it split from India around 88 million years ago (Ratsirarson 2003).The land is open to most of the animal species that are found there. One can find over 50 different colorful species of chameleons in Madagascar. Lemurs make up 75% of the total species population in Madagascar. Madagascar’s location is the reason why this nation has such rich and diversified wildlife. Madagascar has many endemic species.
An additional 453 species (27.0%) are Indian Ocean endemics, including 233 western Indian Ocean endemics (13.9%), 73 southwestern Indian Ocean endemics (4.4%), 16 species endemic to Madagascar and