The number of vertebrate species in different regions of the world varies greatly, as does the proportion of species that are under control.
To understand how different regions of the world will be affectedextinction of endangered vertebrates, scientists collected data on the characteristics of 50 thousand vertebrate species and their range in six major biogeographic regions. They then compared whether the loss of endangered species would have similar consequences for functional diversity in each biogeographic region for each vertebrate group. They published their findings in Nature Communications.
Toussaint et al. 2021 - Examples of endangered species with unique functional features.
Five groups of vertebrates - mammals, reptiles,amphibians and freshwater fish - in different kingdoms will suffer in different ways. For example, in the Indo-Malay region, mammals and birds will be most affected by extinction. And in the Palaearctic kingdom, reptiles, amphibians and freshwater fish will suffer from the extinction of species.
The Indo-Malay Kingdom is not only a habitatthe largest number of endangered vertebrates on Earth, but also an endangered species with unique functional features. Their loss would endanger fragile ecosystems. The study authors note that their work highlights the need for action to conserve biodiversity in Asia.
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This is 70% of all vertebrate species.
Indo-Malayan region, or zoogeographiczone is a unit of faunal zoning that is part of the Paleotropical Kingdom (Palaeogea). Covers the southern part of Asia and the islands located between Asia and Australia.
The territory of the Palaearctic kingdom extends throughout Eurasia north of the foothills of the Himalayas and North Africa.