Cyprus
The
island of Cyprus
comprises the Cyprus Mediterranean Forests ecoregion (EoE)
and is part of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot (CI). 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 (IBC)
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 (CYCERE)
and sometimes classified as
a subspecies of the Lebanon Lizard Lacerta
laevis.
The
Cyprus Water Frog Pelophylax
cypriensis (herpsociety.org)
has been recently described.
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 Agapanthia
nicosiensis (Cerambycidae),
Purpuricenus
nicocles (Cerambycidae),
and Trichoferus
antonioui (Cerambycidae).
Also endemic are the click beetles Ampedus
assingi (Elateridae)
and Drasterius makrisi
(Ruediger
Preiss), a weevil Polydrusus
rhodiacus (curci.de),
a false blister beetle Chrysanthia
cyprica (TrekNature),
a bush cricket Isophya
mavromoustakisi (TrekNature),
the Cyprus Tarantula Chaetopelma
karlamani (TrekNature),
a jumping spider Aelurillus
cypriotus (Salticidae
of the World), and the scorpions Mesobuthus
cyprius (Scorpion
Files) and Buthus
kunti (ZooKeys).
Endemic land snails include Assyriella
bellardii
(AnimalBase),
Trochoidea liebetruti
(AnimalBase),
Helicopsis cypriola
(p. 4 of Naturalis
pdf file), Euchondrus
nucifragus (AnimalBase),
Pleurodiscus cyprius
(AnimalBase),
Oxychilus mavromoustakisi
(Picasa),
Paramastus cyprius
(Picasa),
Pseudoxerophila confusa
(Picasa),
and Multidentula stylus
(AnimalBase).
Among over 100 vascular plant species restricted to Cyprus (Cyprus
MOA pdf file) are the Cyprus Cedar Cedrus brevifolia (Cerambycidae),
the Golden Oak Quercus
alnifolia (Wikipedia),
Crocus
cyprius (IBS),
Delphinium
caseyi (ARKive),
the
Cyprus Tulip Tulipa
cypria (ARKive), the Yellow Cyprus Sun
Rose Helianthemum
obtusifolium (BioLib),
Delphinium caseyi (moa.gov.cy),
the Troodos Rockcress Arabis kennedyae (ARKive),
a buttercup Ranunculus
kykkoensis (moa.gov.cy), Cyclamen cyprium (Cyclamen
Society), the
Golden Drops Onosma
fruticosa (BioLib), Gladiolus triphyllus
(flickr),
the Pallid Squill Scilla
morrisii (IUCN
Red List), Allium autumnale (TrekNature),
Ornithogalum
chionophilum (TrekNature),
the
Cyprus Bee
Orchid Ophrys
kotschyi (Orchids
of Europe), Origanum cordifolium (ARKive), and Centaurea
akamantis (ARKive).
Lindbergella sintenisii
(Flora
of Cyprus) is an endemic genus
of grass. Many endemic plant species are covered in the Red
Book of Cyprus Flora (National
Red Lists pdf file).