Endemics

Endemics are organisms that are native to a particular region and found nowhere else. The term applies to species and populations as well as to diseases that persist in a geographic area. Endemism may be geographic, restricted to a defined area, or ecological, tied to a specific habitat. It is contrasted with cosmopolitan species that occur widely.

Endemism arises through isolation and specialized adaptation. Paleoendemism refers to ancient lineages reduced to a small area; neoendemism to recently evolved species confined to a limited zone. Islands, mountains, and isolated habitats tend to foster high levels of endemism due to limited gene flow and unique selective pressures.

Examples include Madagascar’s diverse endemic fauna and flora, Australia’s unique marsupials, and the Galápagos Islands’ birds and reptiles. Plant endemism is also high in regions such as the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa and various island ecosystems, where historical isolation and habitat specialization create distinctive communities.

In medicine, an endemic disease is one that is consistently present in a population or region. Examples include malaria in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and tropical regions, dengue in suitable environments, and other infections that maintain baseline levels independent of outbreaks. Endemism in disease describes prevalence rather than the size of an outbreak.

Endemics often have restricted ranges and small populations, making them vulnerable to habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. Conservation and habitat management are important for maintaining endemic biodiversity, while public health strategies address endemic diseases through prevention, surveillance, and treatment.