Curaçao

Reptiles unique to Curaçao include the Three-scaled Ground Snake Erythrolamprus triscalis (DCSR) and the Curaçao Whiptail Cnemidophorus murinus (DCSR) (p. 48 of (DCBD pdf).

A recently extinct rice rat Oryzomys curasoae (ResearchGate) has sometimes been considered distinct from Gorgas's Rice Rat Oryzomys gorgasi of Colombia and Venezuela. The Curacao White-tailed Deer (Caribbean footprint WM) (iNaturalist) is an endemic subspecies.

The Curacao Barn Owl Tyto bargei (birdfinding.info) (Google Books) has sometimes been considered distinct from the more widespread American Barn Owl Tyto furcata. The Curacao Brown-throated Parakeet Eupsittula pertinax pertinax (iNaturalist) (DCSR) is an endemic subspecies.

Marine fish so far known only from Curaçao include the Yellow-banded Basslet Lipogramma haberorum (STRI WM), the Blue-spotted Basslet Lipogramma barrettorum (STRI WM), the Maori Basslet Lipogramma schrieri (ZooKeys), the Black-margined Goby Robinsichthys nigrimarginatus (GBIF), and the Godzilla Goby Varicus lacerta (ZooKeys). Two deepwater cardinalfish Epigonus gemma and Epigonus hexacanthus (both at ResearchGate) were described in 2024.

Longhorn beetles restricted to Curaçao include Anelaphus curacaoensis (Cerambycidae Species WM), Stizocera insolita (Cerambycidae Species WM), Atenizoides curacaoae (Internet Archive) and Elaphidion curacaoae (Cerambycidae Species WM). Endemic weevils include Isodrusus curacaoensis (ResearchGate), Pseudoalaocybites aelleni (BHL), Hypothenemus leptosquamus (Bark Beetles), Minyotrypetes primus (Bark Beetles), Pseudothysanoes cracentis (Bark Beetles), Neocultus thomasi (Bark Beetles), and Araptus insulanus (Bark Beetles). Other endemic insects include a checkered beetle Neorthopleura turnbowi (GBIF), a cave-dwelling handsome fungus beetle Holoparamecus aelleni (BHL), the moths Episimus curacaoanus (GBIF) and Lycomorphodes coccipyga (BHL), a damsel bug Pagasa cobbeni (p. 4 of zin.ru pdf), a leafhopper Tapajosa arawaka (PLAZI), and a biting midge Dasyhelea aliciae (GBIF).

Other endemic invertebrates include a ground spider Camillina jeris (p. 11 of AMNH WM pdf), a goblin spider Reductoonops hato (AMNH WM), a harvestman Prionostemma turki (p. 47 of UFRJ pdf), a freshwater isopod crustacean Stygocyathura curassavica (Internet Archive), an amphipod crustacean Psammomelita uncinata (p. 19 of UvA DARE pdf), and several land snails: Cerion diablensis (Femorale WM), Tudora megacheilos (DCSR), Tudora muskusi (Femorale WM), Tudora pilsbryi (fig. F at BHL), Tudora rupis (DCSR), Brachypodella raveni (WMSDB), Neosubulina gloynii (figs. 3-5 at ResearchGate) (WMSDB), and Guppya molengraaffi (fig. 14 at ResearchGate).

Sponges known only from Curaçao include Neopetrosia ovata (Sciency Thoughts), Xestospongia arenosa (ResearchGate), and the following (all at ResearchGate): Timea curacaoensis, Forcepia microlabis, Mycale vitellina, and Clathria collosclera. Other endemic marine invertebrates include a shrimp Pseudopontonides plumosus (GBIF), the opossum shrimps Mysidium triangulare (ResearchGate) and Parvimysis brattegardi (GBIF), a hermit crab Raripagurus roseangelae (GBIF), a copepod crustacean Neocyclops geltrudeae (G.L. Pesce WM pdf), a marine flatworm Cheliplana curacaoensis (GBIF), a marine snail Vexillum janae (DCSR), and an octopus Octopus jeraldi (DCSR).

No vascular plants are unique to Curaçao.

Curaçao is included in the Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot (Biodiversity Hotspots WM) and is part of the Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire Cactus Scrub ecoregion (EoE). A checklist of endemic taxa can be found at (DCBL WM pdf) and at (DCSR).