Endemism

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/endemism

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the significance in evolutionary biology?Provides insights into speciation, adaptation, and the diversification of life
2. What is the contrast term?Cosmopolitan distribution, referring to species found worldwide
3. What does "endemism" mean?Endemism means a species lives only in one special place on Earth, like a tiny island or a mountain.
4. Why are animals in Madagascar special?Madagascar's animals are mostly endemic because they evolved in isolation for millions of years, so they are found only there.

Geographic Isolation: Physical separation of populations, preventing gene flow and fostering unique evolutionary paths.
Speciation: The evolutionary process by which new biological species arise from existing ones.
Biodiversity Hotspot: A region with exceptionally high levels of endemic species that is also under significant threat.