Endemic species

The IUCN defines an endemic species as one which is native to, and restricted to a particular geographical region. Macarthur and Wilson’s theory on ‘Island Biogeography’ is a fine portrayal of the significant correlation of the level of endemism with isolation, which is a result of dispersal barriers, such as long distances across the sea. Hence, it is evident that Sri Lanka would be rich of endemic species, with allusion to its location in the Indian ocean, as a tropical island, comprising of 48 distinct agro-ecological regions.
Sri Lanka is home to about 750 species of vertebrates, out of which, around 322 species are known to be endemic to Sri Lanka. Some of the common examples include the Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Slender Loris and Black ruby barb. Amphibians, in particular, exhibit a very high level of endemism of around 92%, where 112 of the 122 recorded species happen to be endemic.
As much as these endemic animals boast of the island’s richness in biodiveristy, they also exhibit lower adaptability and thereby, a higher vulnerability to the threat of extinction. Therefore, as humans, we must strive to preserve their natural habitats, in order to conserve these species.