An endemic organism is said to be found only in certain areas of the world. This makes the organism in some cases endangered.

The Maltese Islands, although small in area (316kmē), host a very large number of endemic species, some of which are unique and unusual. These endemic species are important to the Maltese Islands because they form part of Maltese national heritage and as topics of scientific research.^[1]

Introduction

Of the 10,000 estimated terrestrial and freshwater specimens in the Maltese archipelago,^[2] 78 species are endemic,^[1] a very good number considering the country's area. Only 4,500 species have so far been recorded, and others still await correct taxonomic classification,^[2] which means that there may be several more endemic species yet to be discovered.

Twenty-three of the endemic species are vascular plants and plants such as bryophytes, while the remaining 55 species are animals.^[1]

Plants

Maltese plants are many and varied. For example, most algae are found in Maltese waters, approximately 300 are not microscopic.^[2]. Another example is that Malta hosts a very peculiar plant known as the Malta Fungus - Cynomorium coccineum - and was previously thought to be a fungus (hence its name of origin).

Some plants on the Maltese Islands are referred to as endemic which means they have no relatives elsewhere in the world.^[1].

Below is a list of some endemic plants (together with their classification) which can be found throughout the Maltese Islands:

• Malta Fungus Cynomorium coccineum (this plant was formerly endemic to Malta but has now spread to other regions due to exportation from the Maltese archipelago)
• Maltese Cliff-orache Cremnophyton lanfrancoi
• Zerafa's Sea-lavender Limonium zeraphae
• Maltese Everlasting Helichrysum melitense
• Maltese Rock-centaury Cheirolophus crassifolius (previously known as Palaeocyanus crassifolius, Centaurea crassifolia and Centaurea spathulata)
• Maltese Hyoseris/Gozo Hyoseris Hyoseris frutescens

Animals

There are more endemic animals than plants in the Maltese Islands. Many a time, the animal in question has been confused with a different species from a close country e.g. the Sicilian shrew in Gozo which has been defined as a subspecies of its own.

Below is a list of some endemic animals (together with their classification):

• Maltese Field Beetle Pimelia rugulosa ssp. melitana
• Schembri's Spider Fly Ogcodes schembrii
• Maltese Ruby Tiger Moth Phragmatobia fuliginosa ssp. melitensis
• Swallowtail (Maltese subspecies) Papilio machaon ssp. melitensis
• Maltese freshwater crab Potamon fluviatile ssp. lanfrancoi
• Maltese Palpigrade Eukoenia christiani
• Maltese Wall Lizard (this species has four subspecies, all of which are endemic to the Maltese Islands) Podarcis filfolensis
• Sicilian Shrew Crocidura sicula ssp. calypso

See also

• Flora of Malta

References

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