Madagascarendemic

Madagascarendemic refers to species or taxa that occur exclusively on the island of Madagascar. The term highlights the island’s extraordinary level of endemism, a consequence of its long isolation from Africa and other landmasses, as well as its diverse habitats ranging from rainforests to dry forests and spiny deserts. Many lineages have diversified in isolation, leading to a large number of organisms with restricted geographic ranges.

Taxa with Madagascarendemic status span major groups. All living lemurs are endemic to Madagascar, and the island also hosts many other mammals such as tenrecs and fossas. It supports a diverse array of endemic reptiles and amphibians, including numerous chameleons and frogs, as well as a wide variety of plants. Among plants, Madagascar is renowned for its unique groups, including various baobabs and numerous flowering plants and orchids that do not occur elsewhere. Overall, a substantial proportion of species described from Madagascar are endemic.

Conservation and threats: Madagascar’s endemic biodiversity faces ongoing pressures from habitat loss, deforestation, mining, climate change, and invasive species, with many endemics classified as vulnerable or endangered. Conservation efforts include the establishment of protected areas, habitat restoration, and community-based programs, often supported by national and international partnerships. While protected areas help safeguard many endemic species, landscape-scale protection remains incomplete in parts of the island. Madagascarendemic remains a central concept in biodiversity research and a key focus for conservation planning on the island.