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Madagascan region
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World map showing major faunal regions as defined by mammalian distributions, with each region color-coded: Holarctic in green (including Nearctic and Palearctic), Afro-Tethyan in pink (including Mediterranean, Ethiopian, Oriental, and Madagascan), Latin American in tan (including Neotropical, Argentine, and West Indian), Island in yellow (including Australian and Madagascar). Major region boundaries are marked with bold lines.
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Madagascan region

faunal region
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World map showing major faunal regions as defined by mammalian distributions, with each region color-coded: Holarctic in green (including Nearctic and Palearctic), Afro-Tethyan in pink (including Mediterranean, Ethiopian, Oriental, and Madagascan), Latin American in tan (including Neotropical, Argentine, and West Indian), Island in yellow (including Australian and Madagascar). Major region boundaries are marked with bold lines.
Earth's faunal regions System of faunal regions based on a reanalysis of mammalian distributions by Charles H. Smith.

The Madagascan region is a distinct biogeographic area recognized for its unique flora and fauna, largely due to the island's isolation off the southeastern coast of Africa. This isolation has allowed for the evolution of many species found nowhere else on Earth.12

Key characteristics of the Madagascan region include:
* Unique Wildlife: Madagascar is home to numerous endemic species, including about 40 species of lemurs, unique hedgehoglike insectivores called tenrecs, and various chameleons.3
* Anomalous Flora and Fauna: The island's plant and animal life differ significantly from mainland Africa, with many species having origins more closely related to those found in Indonesia.2
* Ecological Changes: Much of Madagascar's original evergreen and deciduous forest has been lost due to deforestation for agriculture, fuel, and timber, leading to significant erosion.3
* Biogeographic Classification: The Madagascan region is often given equal status to larger realms due to its distinctiveness, even though it is geographically part of the Paleotropical realm.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. Madagascar - Plant and animal life
  2. biogeographic region - Madagascan region
  3. Madagascar

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