Download Scientific name

A virtual visit to learn more
about endemic species is propo
sed
at the Natural History Museu
m of Crete (Greece) and from
the National Museum of Natu
ral History and Science of Lisb
on
(Portugal), and its Botanic G
arden.
Endemic species from the Mediterra
nean basin:
a close look to Portugal and Gr
eece
FLORA
tris (Hoffmanns. &
ves
syl
.
ssp
is
zyg
us
ym
Th
:
me
na
ic
tif
ien
Sc
Coutinho, 1907
Link, 1809) Common name: Thyme
Distribution: Southwest Iberian Peninsula
tone or shale soils.
es
lim
on
s,
nd
bla
ru
sh
low
in
ws
gro
It
:
HABITAT
Conservation status: Least concern
ies
liptus plantations, quarr
Threats: Intensive agriculture, eucadit
ional land use.
exploitation, lost of the tra
use management.
Measures for species conservation: Adequate land
FLORA
Scientific name: Armeria pseudarmeria (Murray) Mansf.
Common name: Pseudarmeria thrift
Distribution: Portuguese endemism.
It occurs in the central littoral of Portugal,
in Cabo da Roca and neighbouring areas.
HABITAT: The pseudarmeria thrift grows on litoral and sublitoral
rocks and shrublands of granitic or basaltic origin.
Conservation status: Vulnerable; Annex II Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21
May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna
and flora.
Threats: Habitat degradation due to invasive species and picking up
of the flower heads.
Measures for species conservation: Invasive species and touristic pressure control.
FLORA
Scientific name: Plantago almogravensis Franco
Distribution: Portuguese endemism.
It occurs in southwest Portugal.
HABITAT: It grows on aluminium rich rocks and soils.
Conservation status: Critically endangered; Annex II,
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation
of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
Threats: Habitat degradation due to house building and touristic pressure,
agriculture, trampling, invasive species and fire.
Measures for species conservation: Adequate land use management.
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Spiders
Scientific name: Harpactea stalitoides Ribera, 1993
Common name: Nomadic-spider-of-the-stalactites
Restricted to Algarve,
.
sm
mi
de
en
e
es
gu
rtu
Po
n:
tio
ibu
tr
Dis
hão.
to the to the municipalities of Loulé and
Ol
d is adapted to
an
nd
ou
rgr
de
un
tly
en
an
rm
pe
es
liv
It
:
HABITAT
Peculiar Features: It has no trace of eyes.
Conservation status: Not evaluated
darkness.
Threats: Destruction and disturbance of its habitat.
at preservation.
bit
Ha
n:
tio
va
er
ns
co
ies
ec
sp
r
fo
es
Measur
FAUNA
Invertebrates
Scientific name: Neocallicrania miegii Bolívar, 1873
Common name: Saddle–backed bush cricket
Distribution: Iberian endemism. Mountains of the Sistema
Central, which runs through the north
of the region of Madrid continuing westward
into Portugal (Serra da estrela, Serra da Gardunha
and Serra do Açor).
HABITAT: Mediterranean shrublands of brooms (Cytisus spp.).
Peculiar Features: Little is known about the biology of this species but some
odd behaviors have been observed: in the reproductive season the vora
females can even eat males to obtain the energy necessary to produce cious
which they lay bellow open ground as you can see on the photo(next eggs,
slide).
Conservation status: None
Threats: Habitat destruction.
Measures for species conservation: Habitat preservation.
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Insects
70
s Staudinger, 18
de
ioi
iph
a
ph
ym
on
en
Co
:
me
na
ic
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ien
Sc
Common name: Spanish Heath
Distribution: Iberian endemism.
ern half
Distributed in the north
mainly at mountains.
la,
su
nin
Pe
n
ria
Ibe
the
of
wild flowers, located
nt
da
un
ab
th
wi
s
ow
ad
me
t
We
:
AT
BIT
HA
between 600 and 1400 m of altitude.
Conservation status: None
tion of wet meadows;
uc
str
de
s;
ion
lat
pu
po
me
so
of
ion
lat
Iso
Threats:
plantations.
and monoculture of forest
meadows and natural open forests.
t
we
of
n
tio
tec
Pro
:
ion
vat
er
ns
co
s
cie
Measures for spe
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Molluscs
Scientific name: Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885
Common name: Freshwater mussel
Distribution: Iberian endemism. It occurs in the Guadiana,
Mira and Sado river basins.
HABITAT: It lives in rivers with torrential regime in winter
and often reduced to puddles in the summer. It lives buried in fine sediment
or sludge in areas close to riverbanks, often associated with roots
of riparian vegetation.
Conservation status: Included in the Annexes II and IV
of the Directive Habitats.
Threats: Restricted distribution and low population densities; destruction of habitat.
Measures for species conservation: Sustainable management of water resources
and maintenance of environmental conditions of rivers.
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Molluscs
Scientific name: Lepatxis azorica Albers, 1852
Common name: Snail
Distribution: Azorean endemism, restricted to the São Miguel island.
HABITAT: It occurs preferentially in the native forest, among tufts
of Calluna and fetuses, but it also occurs in forests of Cryptomeria japo
nica,
introduced in the Azores about a century ago, with coverage
of Hedychium gardneranum. Conservation status: No IUCN conservation status has been proposed,
given its ability to adapt to new forest habitats.
Threats: Degradation of habitat due to destruction of vegetation.
Measures for species conservation: Implementation of measures for
recovery of the native forest.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Fishes
Scientific name: Neoraja iberica
Stehmann, Séret, Costa & Baro, 2008
Common name: Iberian pygmy skate
mism.
Distribution: Iberian endethe
upper slope of southern
It occurs in
Iberian Peninsula within Bay of Cadiz.
70 m depth, with
HABITAT: This fish lives at 27m0-6
substrate.
fine-grained botto
Conservation status: Not evaluated.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Fishes
Scientific name: Iberochondrostoma
almacai
Coelho, Mesquita & Collares-Pereira 2005
Common name: Southwestern arched-mouth nase
Distribution: Portuguese endemism. It occurs in the Mira and Arade river
basins, and also in small nearby coastal streams.
HABITAT: This fish lives mostly in small or medium slow water Mediterranean type
streams, surviving the summer drought in small pools.
Conservation status: Evaluated as Critically Endangered in the Red Book
of Vertebrates of Portugal
Threats: Habitat degradation due to construction of dams, deteriorating of water
quality, water extraction, destruction of river vegetation and introduction
of exotic species.
Measures for species conservation: Implementation of measures for the restoration
of fluvial habitats under the River Basin Plans and the Water Framework
Measures include eradication of sources of pollution and habitat recoveryDirective.
.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Amphibians
Scientific name: Chioglossa lusitanica Bocage, 1864
Common name: Golden-striped salamander
the Iberian Peninsula – Galicia, part
of
st
we
rth
No
the
in
rs
cu
oc
It
n:
tio
ibu
Distr
pecies, C. lusitanica brevitarsis,
o subs
of Asturies and NW Portugal. One of its tw
unding massifs,
rro
su
the
of
me
so
d
an
la
tre
Es
da
rra
Se
–
l
lives only in Portuga
south of the Mondego river.
ays near small brooks
alw
,
ats
bit
ha
cro
mi
d
mi
hu
ely
rem
ext
in
s
HABITAT: This salamander live
associated with mountainous areas.
ore
ref
the
is
It
.
ter
wa
ng
wi
flo
t
fas
d
an
ted
with well oxygena
river courses.
It is an indicator of good water quality in the
ok of Vertebrates of Portugal.
Bo
d
Re
the
in
ble
ra
lne
Vu
as
d
ate
alu
Ev
Conservation status:
vegetation and of the water
ne
eri
riv
the
of
on
ati
ior
ter
de
to
e
du
n
tio
da
Threats: Habitat degra
o lead to serious
als
s
ha
s
cie
spe
us
ypt
cal
Eu
th
wi
n
tio
sta
ore
quality in mountain areas. The aff
habitat losses for this species.
res for the restoration
asu
me
of
n
tio
nta
me
ple
Im
:
ion
vat
er
ns
co
s
Measures for specie
erine forest. Eradication
riv
e
tiv
na
the
of
n
tio
tec
pro
d
an
ry
ove
rec
the
of fluvial habitats that include
llution in the downstream areas.
po
stic
me
do
d
an
ral
ltu
icu
agr
of
s
rce
sou
the
and / or control of
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Reptiles
Scientific name: Tarentola bischoffi Joger, 1984
Common name: Selvagens gecko
Distribution: It is only found in the three main islands
of the Selvagens archipelago – Selvagem Grande,
Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora – in Madeira
Autonomous Region.
HABITAT: This gecko lives in all the terrestrial habitats of the islands,
being particularly abundant in the central plateau of the Selvagem Grande.
Conservation status: Evaluated as Vulnerable in the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal
Threats: After the eradication of the rabbit and house mouse at Selvagem Grande,
the population has been recovering. This species is confined to a remote protected
area; the current threats to its population are the climate changes that may lead
to an aridification of the islands, as well as to a sea level rise that may threaten the
population of the Ilhéu de Fora.
Measures for species conservation: The continuation of the effective protection
of the Selvagens Nature Reserve and the control of eventual future introductions will
guarantee the protection of the population of Selvagem Grande.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Birds
Scientific name: Anthus berthelotii Bolle, 1862
Common name: Berthelot’s Pipit
Distribution: This species has a restricted distribution, confined to Madeira
and Canary archipelagos. Two subspecies occur in Portugal: Anthus
berthelotii
madeirensis present in Madeira, Porto Santo and Desertas Islands, and
Anthus
berthelotii berthelotii exclusively found on the Selvagens Islands.
HABITAT: Open areas with scarce vegetation cover, either in altitude or at sea-level.
Peculiar features: Berthelot’s pipits are easily recognized by their silhouette
and characteristic walking behaviour, which originated their Portugu
ese name
“corre-caminhos” that can be translated as “path runner”.
Conservation status: In Europe, it is evaluated as Least Concern. However, the
nominal subspecies A. b. berhelotti, only present on the Selvagens Islan
is classified as Vulnerable by the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal ds,
.
Threats: The population trend appears to be stable in the absence of evidence
for any declines or substantial threats. The nominal subspecies A. b.
has been threatened in the recent past by mices and rabbits, responsiberhelotti
the predation of eggs and nestlings and habitat destruction, respectivble for both
ely. However,
a successful mammal eradication program carried out by national auth
orities
in 2000 displaced the major threats to this bird population.
Measures for species conservation: Predator eradications on islands, such as the
one performed on the Selvagens, can greatly beneficiate populations
pipits. However, eradications on large islands are often impracticable.of berthelot’s
favorable conservation status of the species does not require urgent The current
actions. Nonetheless, monitoring of range-restricted species is crucialmanagement
potential reversions in their populational trends early enough to turn to detect
effective
any conservation efforts.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Microtus cabrerae Thomas, 1906
Common name: Cabrera’s vole
Distribution: Iberian endemism.
It presents a very fragmented distribution.
HABITAT: It occurs preferentially in areas of high grass or dense
holm oak forests,
herbaceous vegetation, such as polycultures, reeds, cork and
with a relatively high degree of humidity.
brates of Portugal
Conservation status: Vulnerable in the Red Book of VerteSpeci
es.
and Nearly Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Threats: Destruction and fragmentation of its natural habitats.
Measures for species conservation: Protection of the areas wheres.the species
occurs and the promotion of ecological corridors between population
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Lynx pardinus Temminck, 1827
Common name: Lince-ibérico
Distribution: Iberian endemism. The lynx is believed to be extinct in Portugal,
after population regression in the late 20th century. Its present distribution is restricted
to the regions of Doñana and Andujar-Cardena, Spain. Despite the recent records in the
Portuguese territory at Serra da Adiça in 2001 (Santos-Reis 2003), these probably refer
to wandering specimens near the Spanish border.
HABITAT: Strongly associated with the Mediterranean forest with well-developed shrubs.
Conservation status: Critically Endangered in the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal
and in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .
Threats: The degradation of the Mediterranean forest, the habitat fragmentation,
the growing of roads network, and the decline of rabbit populations
(the main food source of the lynx).
Measures for species recovery: It was founded in 2009 the National Reproduction
Center of the Iberian lynx (CNRLI) in Silves, aiming the reintroduction in areas
of historical distribution, where its natural habitat remains unchanged.
.
FLORA
Scientific name: Origanum dictamnus L.
Common name: Cretan dittany
Distribution: Creta endemism.
HABITAT: It usually grows on limestone gorges and cliffs
(obligatory chasmophyte).
Peculiar features: Aromatic plant.
Conservation status: Vulnerable in the Red Data Book
and Appendix of Bern Convention.
Threats: Over collecting.
Measures for species conservation: Harvesting of plants from
nature should be averted, and its cultivation should be encouraged.
FLORA
Scientific name: Tulipa doerfleri Gand.
Common name: Doerfler’s Tulip
demism
Distribution: Central Creteceen
ntral Crete).
(plateaus of
HABITAT: It usually grows on cultivated fields.
pressive red patches.
im
ms
for
it
om
blo
in
n
he
W
:
es
ur
at
fe
Peculiar
Book.
Conservation status: Vulnerable in the Red Data
other wild plants to antagonize it.
lps
he
on
ati
ltiv
cu
the
of
g
nin
do
an
ab
e
Th
Threats:
ploughing of the fields where it
ce
rfa
Su
n:
tio
va
er
ns
co
ies
ec
sp
r
fo
Measures
t brings
ion, contrary to the deep ploughing tha
grows helps preserving its populat
ld be averted.
ou
sh
e
or
ref
the
d
an
,
ce
rfa
su
the
to
se
the bulbs clo
FLORA
Scientific name: Ebenus cretica L.
Common name: Cretan Ebony
Distribution: Crete endemism. on plant endemism
It is the most comm
of Crete, being widespread in all island.
HABITAT: Phrygana scrublands and limestone cliffs.
Conservation status: Not threatened
FLORA
Scientific name: Abies cephalonica Loudon
Common name: Greek fir
Distribution: Greece endemism.
Widespread in continental Greece and the Ionian sea.
It grows above 800 meters of altitude.
Habitat: Conifer forests.
Peculiar features: Abies cephalonica is the only endemic conifer tree of Greece.
The ancient greek name for this fir was Pitys, and the tree was dedicate
the god of shepherds. According to Greek Mythology, Pan and Vorias d to Pan,
(North
Wind) were both in love with the nymph Pitys. Yet, Pitys chose the leas
Pan. Vorias, in order to revenge the nymph, blew her down from a rock t noisy
Pitys almost dead, and transformed her into his sacred tree, the fir. Sinc. Pan found
the nymph cries every time the north wind blows and her tears are the e then,
drops
of the resin, that drip from the fir cones every autumn.
Conservation status: Least Concern in IUCN Red Data List.
Threats: Forest fires.
Measures for species conservation: Better implementation of firefighting methods.
FLORA
Scientific name: Zelkova abelicea (Lam.) Boiss.
Common name: Cretan Zelkova
Distribution: Restricted areas or individual trees
in Crete mountains.
Habitat: Limestone areas with deep soil rich in clay and humus.
Peculiar features: The branches are very hard and
are used for making shepherd’s crooks.
Conservation status: Vulnerable in Red Data Book.
Threats: Overgrazing of young plants and wood cutting of the adult trees.
Measures for species recovery: Fencing the distribution areas in order to avoid
grazing; implementation of the prohibition of its cutting.
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Insects
s) arcadicus Gistl,
bu
ra
ca
eto
ha
(C
s
bu
ra
Ca
:
me
na
ic
tif
Scien
Distribution: Greek endemism m Pindos Mts.
(central Greece, fro
to Olymbos Mts & Veluchi,
Parnassos Mts. to the south)
HABITAT: Conifer and deciduous forests, 600-1600 m
Conservation status: None
1850.
altitude.
ni Dejean, 1829.
no
ba
s)
ste
ru
roc
(P
s
bu
ra
Ca
:
me
na
ic
Scientif
Common name: Beetle
Distribution: Crete endemism.
mainland and Gavdos islet.
Common all over Crete
and open areas.
ub
scr
in
ns
tai
un
mo
d
an
lls
Hi
:
AT
BIT
HA
Conservation status: None
FAUNA
Invertebrates/Insects
Scientific name: Plebejus (Kretania) psylorita Freyer 1845.
Common name: Butterfly
Distribution: Crete endemism.
Known only from Nida plateau,
Psiloritis Moutain and in some spots
on Lefka Ori Mountains.
HABITAT: High elevation scrublands and open areas.
Conservation status: None.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Reptiles
.
Scientific name: Podarcis cretensis Wettstein, 1952
ρα
Common name: Cretan wall lizard, κρητική κολισαύ
d its satellite islets
an
ete
Cr
to
c
mi
de
en
is
It
n:
tio
ibu
tr
Dis
rysi, Elaphonisi). On the island of Crete
(e.g. Dia, Ch
it is present only on the western part.
a high proportion
th
wi
as
are
y
sh
bu
y
dr
rs
efe
pr
It
:
AT
BIT
HA
and stones.
of rocks
y with activity
da
the
t
ou
gh
ou
thr
e
tiv
ac
is
It
:
es
ur
at
Peculiar fe
ty of arthropods.
peaks between
8-12am and 4-6pm. It preys upon a varie
d book of Threatened
Re
the
in
le
ab
er
ln
Vu
as
ted
lis
is
It
:
us
Conservation stat
d geographic range.
Animals of Greece because of its restricte
n induced habitat destruction.
ma
is
ies
ec
sp
the
for
t
ea
thr
in
ma
e
Th
Threats:
tribution in Crete
dis
ies
ec
sp
the
on
dy
stu
A
n:
tio
va
er
Measures for species conspopulation trends. Implementation of national
is needed in order to assess
2000 sites.
and international law, namely in Natura
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Reptiles
Scientific name: Macrovipera schweizeri Werner, 1935.
Common name: Milos viper, Οχιά της Μήλου
Distribution: Restricted to the Greek Islands:
Milos, Kimolos, Polyaigos and Sifnos.
HABITAT: Abundant in areas with big bushes and herbs, and small streams.
Peculiar features: Its diet is based on rodent species and migratory birds.
Juveniles eat mainly invertebrates and lizards.
Conservation status: Classified as Endangered in the Red Book of Threatened
Animals of Greece because its restricted and declining distribution.
Threats: The main threat is habitat loss/degradation due to opencast mining,
changes in land use and fires. The populations are also under pressure
human induced mortality due to persecution, vehicular traffic leading from
to high
road mortality and illegal collecting.
Measures for species conservation: Immediate priorities are the development
of protection actions and management plans in Natura 2000 sites. It is also a
priority to enhance vigilance in order to preventing illegal collection.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Felis silvestris cretensis Haltenorth, 1953.
Common name: Cretan Wild Cat ; Κρητικού αγριόγατου
Distribution: Crete endemic subspecies.
It is isolated in the mountain areas.
Habitat: Mountainous shrublands.
for the scientists
Peculiar features: The Wildcat in Crete is for the people as well as
the Cretan country
a ghost-creature. Many discussions have been made and people of
have legends and traditions concerning the animal but no-one could ever provide
proof of its existence. In the beginning of April 96, two students of an Italian
mission in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of the University of
Crete succeeded for the first time, in capturing a living specimen of the animal.
Conservation status: It is listed in the Red Book of Threatened Animals of Greece.
Threats: Continuous fragmentation of its habitats due
to the construction of roads; hybridization with semi-wild cats.
Measures for species conservation: Habitat preservation.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Capra aegagrus cretica.
Common name: Cretan Wild Goat.
Distribution: Crete endemic subspecies. The natural population is appx. 700
individuals, lives in the White Mountains, NW Crete.
particularly with shrub covered areas, rocky outcrops
with caves and conifers forests (Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens.)
HABITAT: Mountainous regions
Crete from Asia
Peculiar features: The Cretan Wild Goat was introduced to with
domestic
in the wild form a few thousand years ago and later interbred
goats. However, it maintains the characteristics of its Asian relatives to a high
degree. Its Greek common name is “Agrimi”, but some people erroneously
call it “Kri-kri”.
book of Threatened
Conservation status: It is classified as Endangered in the Redxes
II & III)
Animals of Greece; it is protected by the Bern Convention (Anne
and the Habitats Directive (92/43/1992 EEC, Annex II).
ding and habitat
Threats: It is facing serious survival problems due to cross-breefores
t fires.
competition with feral goats, inbreeding, diseases, hunting and
gy and taxonomy are
Measures for species conservation: Further studies on its ecolo
of hybridization, organize
needed. Specific management plans should consider the problem
the re- introduction of wild goats in areas of Crete, and include awareness-raising actions.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Crocidura zimmermanni Wettstein, 1953.
Common name: Cretan white-toothed shrew.
Distribution: Crete endemism, where it has only been found
on the three main mountains in altitude higher than 1.200 m.
HABITAT: Small plateaus.
Peculiar features: Probably it shares its time between hunting
and sleeping. Most active at dawn and at sunset.
Conservation status: It is assessed as Endangered in the Red Book
of Threatened Animals of Greece.
Threats: The fragmentation and decline of the extent of occurrence area are the main
threats. Additionally, climate change is also a significant threat as it may
favor the
survival of the introduced Crocidura suaveolens.
Measures for species conservation: Further studies on species distribution
and dynamics of the three known populations in the three mountain
of Crete.
Also, its recognition by national legislation is necessary.
FAUNA
Vertebrates/Mammals
Scientific name: Monachus monachus Hermann, 1779.
Common name: Mediterranean Monk seal.
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout coastal and insular
Greece. Important sub-populations can be found in the Northern
Sporades, Kimolos, Gyaros and Karpathos.
Deserts and Madeira island in Portugal.
HABITAT: Mediterranean Monk seals spend the most of their life in the water and use
terrestrial habitats to rest and give born to their babies.
Peculiar features: The minimum population size estimate for Greece is 179 adult
individuals, which represents 39.77% to 51.14% of the world’s total population
size estimate. In Madeira island exists 25 individuals.
Conservation status: It is considered Critically Endangered in the Red Book
of Threatened Animals of Greece and Portugal. This species is strictly protected
under Portuguese and Greek law, European Directives and International Conventions.
Threats: Major threats are habitat deterioration and loss by human coastal
development; deliberate killing and accidental entanglement in fishi
ng gears;
decrease of food availability due to overfishing; marine pollution; and
stochastic
events, such as disease outbreaks.
Measures for species recovery: Establishment of marine protected areas, rescue
and rehabilitation of orphaned or injured seals, environmental educatio
n and public
awareness.
This pathway is about the endemic species from Portugal (Iberian Peninsula) and
Crete, it means, they are species that occur and have their origin in this regions.
In the Botanical Garden and the MNHNC, you can also find native species,
it means, they are species that naturally occurring in our country
and in others places.
See some examples in the following exhibitions:
ns”
ctio
“Naturalist Colle
Endemic
NATIVE
Lynx pardinus
Lutra lutra
Chioglossa lusitanica
Merops apiaster
Hieraetus pennatus
Iberolacerta monticola
Rana perezi
See the
fooling map
Iberolacerta monticola
Rana perezi
Chioglossa lusitanica
Merops apiaster
Hieraetus pennatus
Lynx pardinus
Lutra lutra
“Botanic Garden”
ENDEMIC
Thymus zygis ssp. sylvestris
NATIVE
Taxus baccata L.
Ilex aquifolium L.
Quercus faginea Lam.
Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Viburnum tinus L
See the
fooling map
Ilex aquifolium L.
Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Thymus zygis ssp. sylvestris
Rosmarinus officin
alis L.
Quercus faginea Lam.
Taxus bacca
ta
L.