Why are species from islands smaller?
Why are species from islands smaller? This may be due to a lack of variety or an absence of high-quality resources on the island, or simply too few resources for a population of large-bodied animals with limited ability to migrate (due to island geography).
Why are island species so unique?
Because isolation is a driver of speciation, island species display an astonishing variety of traits. Biodiversity, or the number of different species in a certain area, bolsters ecosystem resilience and is a key component of the intrigue and beauty of nature.
What island has the most animal species?
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic.
Do animals get bigger on islands?
Many species of animals on islands are larger than related species on the mainland. Scientists hypothesize that this phenomenon, called island gigantism, evolved in response to the scarcity of competitors and predators on islands.