Zoogeographical Realms
Zoogeographical Realms
Zoogeographical Realms
1. Palaearctic Realm
Geographical Extent:
Europe, North Africa (north of the Sahara), most of Asia (north of the Himalayas), and the Arctic
Ocean.
Habitats:
Tundra, boreal forests, grasslands, temperate woodlands, deserts.
Key Animals and Adaptations:
• No endemism
• Hedgehog, porcupine, civet, giant panda
• Lizards, alligators, boas, turtles.
• Newts, salamanders, frogs, toads
• Carps dominant
Diversity of Chordates’YYHRC
Mammals:
o Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Thick fur and a layer of fat under the skin
for insulation; large body size reduces heat loss.
o Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus): Dense fur changes color with seasons (white in winter,
brown in summer) for camouflage.
o Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus): Long, shaggy coat and underwool for extreme cold.
Birds:
o Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus): Camouflage with snowy landscapes; strong talons
and keen vision for hunting in low light.
o Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus): Migrates to avoid harsh winters.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
o European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis): Hibernates in mud during cold winters.
o Steppe viper (Vipera ursinii): Blends into rocky habitats for predator avoidance.
Fish:
o Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii): Tolerant to cold and adapted to slow
metabolic rates in freezing water.
Insects:
o Mountain bumblebee (Bombus monticola): Furry bodies conserve heat in alpine
environments.
2. Nearctic Realm
Geographical Extent:
North America, Greenland, and parts of the Arctic.
Habitats:
Arctic tundra, boreal forests, temperate forests, deserts, grasslands.
Key Animals and Adaptations:
Mammals:
o Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis): Hibernates during winter to conserve energy.
o Pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana): Lightweight build and large lungs for
high-speed running.
o American bison (Bison bison): Thick winter coat and strong hooves for grazing
under snow.
Birds:
o Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): Sharp talons and strong beak for predation;
nests near water.
o Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus): Exceptional night vision and hearing for
nocturnal hunting.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
o Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum): Stores fat in tail; venomous for defense and
subduing prey.
o Hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis): Flattened body and skin
folds for oxygen absorption underwater.
Insects:
o Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus): Migrates thousands of kilometers to
warmer regions.
3. Neotropical Realm
Geographical Extent:
South America, Central America, the Caribbean islands, and southern Mexico.
Habitats:
Tropical rainforests, savannas, mountains (Andes), wetlands (Pantanal).
Key Animals and Adaptations:
Camels, llamas, alpacas.
There are no hedgehogs, moles, beavers, hyenas, bovids in this region.
Almost 50% of the avian fauna is endemic and unique
Flightless bird-Rhea
Common birds include herons, ibis, storks, ducks, hawks, owls, plover, cuckoos. There is scarcity of
song birds.
There are plenty of snakes, iguanid lizards,Crocodilus,Caiman(alligator) and turtles.
Abundant amphibian diversity
There are no carps, eels and characin fishes abundant.
Diversity of Chordates’YYHRC
Mammals:
o Jaguar (Panthera onca): Strong jaw muscles to crush skulls of prey; adept swimmer.
o Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): Long tongue and claws for consuming
ants and termites.
o Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): Semi-aquatic lifestyle with webbed feet.
Birds:
o Toucan (Ramphastidae): Long beak aids in thermoregulation and accessing fruit.
o Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja): Powerful talons and wings adapted for maneuvering
through dense forests.
Reptiles:
o Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus): Ambush predator with strong constriction;
aquatic habitat provides stealth.
o Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus): Salt glands to excrete excess salt and
efficient swimming adaptations.
Amphibians:
o Glass frog (Centrolenidae): Transparent skin for camouflage on leaves.
Insects:
o Leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp.): Farm fungi by cutting leaves, showing advanced social
organization.
Mammals:
o African elephant (Loxodonta africana): Large ears for thermoregulation; trunk for
diverse tasks.
o Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): Slim body and long limbs for high-speed chases.
o Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis): Long, thin middle finger to extract
insects.
Birds:
o Ostrich (Struthio camelus): Long legs for running; powerful kicks for defense.
o Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex): Large bill for catching large fish and amphibians.
Reptiles:
o Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus): Ambush predator; strong tail for swimming.
Insects:
o Dung beetles (Scarabaeidae): Roll and bury dung for reproduction and nutrient
recycling.
5. Oriental Realm
Geographical Extent:
South Asia, Southeast Asia, and islands of Indonesia and the Philippines.
Habitats:
Tropical rainforests, mangroves, grasslands, high-altitude Himalayan regions.
Key Animals and Adaptations:
Twenty five percent of the fauna is shared with Africa that includes, old world monkeys, lorises, apes
(Gibbon and Orangutan-exclusive to oriental region), pangolin or scaly anteater,bamboo rat,
Elephant(Elephas maximus), Rhinoceros unicornisand a lion population in Girforest.
Woodpeckers and barbets are widespread. There are also peacocks, arguspheasants, cattle
egrets(Bubulcusibis)and jungle fowl.
There are plenty of lizards, turtles, poisonous snakes, pythons and crocodiles
Many frogs and toads
Diversity of Chordates’YYHRC
Mammals:
o Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): Striped camouflage for stalking prey.
o Indian elephant (Elephas maximus): Smaller ears than African elephants; highly
social.
Birds:
o Peacock (Pavo cristatus): Elaborate tail feathers for mating displays.
o Hornbills (Bucerotidae): Casque on beak for mating rituals.
Reptiles:
o King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah): Venom evolved to kill large prey; hood
expansion for threat display.
6. Australian Realm
Geographical Extent:
Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, and surrounding islands.
Habitats:
Arid deserts, tropical forests, eucalyptus woodlands.
Key Animals and Adaptations:
Mammals:
o Kangaroo (Macropus spp.): Powerful hind legs for hopping; marsupial pouch for
offspring development.
o Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii): Scavenging habits and strong jaws.
Birds:
o Cassowary (Casuarius spp.): Helmet-like casque for foraging and defense.
Reptiles:
o Frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii): Frill display for intimidation and
thermoregulation.
Diversity of Chordates’YYHRC
7. Antarctic Realm
Geographical Extent:
Antarctica and Southern Ocean islands.
Key Animals and Adaptations:
Whales, Orca, Seals, Penguins, petrels
Abundant krill which these animals depend upon (as food source)
Birds:
o Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri): Huddling behavior for warmth;
streamlined body for swimming.
Mammals:
o Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx): Strong teeth for consuming fish and penguins.