Living National Treasures: Cyprus

Checklists of Endemics

Amphibian Species 0

Freshwater Fish Species 0

Marine Fish Species 0

Vertebrate Genera 0

Swallowtail & Milkweed Butterfly Species 0

Vascular Plant Genera 1

Families & Orders 0

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The island of Cyprus comprises the Cyprus Mediterranean Forests ecoregion (WWF) and is part of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot (Biodiversity Hotspots). The following account covers the island as a whole including the nation of Cyprus, Akrotiri, and Dhekelia.

Mammals unique to Cyprus include the Cyprus Spiny Mouse (TrekNature) and the Cypriot Mouse Mus cypriacus (BBC) described in 2006. The Cyprus Mouflon Ovis orientalis ophion (TrekNature) is an endemic subspecies and the national animal of Cyprus.

Birds that breed exclusively on the island include the Cyprus Warbler (Nyctea Ltd) and the Cyprus Pied Wheatear (birdguides.com).

Reptiles found nowhere else include the Cyprus Whip Snake Coluber cypriensis (Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus) and the Troodos Lizard which is sometimes considered a full species Lacerta (or Phoenicolacerta) troodica (Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus) and sometimes classified as a subspecies of the Lebanon Lizard Lacerta laevis.

Butterflies known only from Cyprus include the Cyprus Grayling Hipparchia cypriensis (Butterflies of Cyprus), the Cyprus Meadow Brown Maniola cypricola (Matt's European Butterflies), the Paphos Blue Glaucopsyche paphos (Matt's European Butterflies), and two additional subspecies (see Butterflies of Cyprus). Endemic longhorned beetles include Purpuricenus nicocles (Cerambycidae), Agapanthia nicosiensis (Cerambycidae), and Trichoferus antonioui (Cerambycidae). Also endemic are the click beetles Ampedus assingi (Elateridae) and Drasterius makrisi (Ruediger Preiss), a stag beetle Dorcus alexisi (Lucanes du Monde), a bush cricket Isophya mavromoustakisi (OSF), a jumping spider Aelurillus cypriotus (Salticidae of the World), and a scorpion Mesobuthus cyprius (Scorpion Files). Endemic land snails include Assyriella bellardii (AnimalBase), Trochoidea liebetruti (AnimalBase), and Helicopsis cypriola (p. 4 of Naturalis pdf file).

Among over 100 vascular plant species restricted to Cyprus (Cyprus MOA pdf file) are the Cyprus Cedar Cedrus brevifolia (Cermbycidae), the Golden Oak Quercus alnifolia (Wikipedia), Crocus cyprius (IBS), Delphinium caseyi (ARKive), the Cyprus Tulip Tulipa cypria (Flora of North Cyprus), a buttercup Ranunculus kykkoensis (Cyprus MOA), the Troodos Rockcress Arabis kennedyae (ARKive), Delphinium caseyi (karpazekoturizm.com), Cyclamen cyprium (Cyclamen Society), the Pallid Squill Scilla morrisii (IUCN Red List), Ornithogalum chionophilum (Günther Blaich), the Cyprus Bee Orchid Ophrys kotschyi (Orchids of Europe), Allium autumnale (naturemuseum.org.cy), and the Akamas Centaury Centaurea akamantis (ARKive). Lindbergella sintenisii (BGBM) is an endemic genus of grass.