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U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity Bahamas
Species |
Endemic Species Correll and Correll (1982) report that nearly nine percent (121 taxa) of plant species found in The Bahamas are endemic, but concludes that the Bahamian "flora has been derived mainly from that to the south and west, especially Cuba." Over 1350 species of flowering plants and ferns have been described, representing approximately 660 genera and 144 families. While thirteen fishes are identified as probable endemics, only three species in the families Cyprinodon and Gambusia known (because they are freshwater and not marine species) to be endemic species (Smith-Vaniz & Böhlke, 1991) . The Inagua Island turtle, Pseudemys malonei is The Inagua Turtle (Pseudemys malonei) found in Inagua National Park and the Cat Island Turtle (Pseudemys felis) found only on these two islands are distinct species native to The Bahamas.. The Bahamian Hutia (Geocapromys ingrahamii) is the only endemic land mammal in The Bahamas. It is a tail-less rodent somewhat larger than a rat. The hutia was considered at one time to be extinct within The Bahamas, but a colony was found on East Plana Cay, and small colonies have now been established on a number of Cays in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, where they have successfully multiplied. It remains rare because of the small number of colonies. One fern species from Correll & Correll (1982) is identified as endemic. The Lucayan Caverns on Grand Bahama, reputably one of the largest submarine cavern systems in the world, are known to possess a number of endemic species. Research on some of the blue holes of Andros on Gambusia hubbsi, a species of mosquitofish found only in The Bahamas, shows that populations between blue holes differ greatly in body size and sex ratios. These differences may reflect differences in predators, and research is continuing on these extremely complex ecosystems. The lakes of San Salvador contain four species of sympatric pupfish (Cyprinodon), a situation known to exist in only one other place in the world.
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