Island life – Endemic species of Madeira

Islands are incredible places for a number of reasons. Our planet is home to around 100,000 known islands with every one culturally and ecologically unique. Due to their isolated nature, evolution allows the existence of several organisms that have specifically adapted to life solely on these small pieces of land. This process is called speciation and occurs at a high rate on islands allowing them to make up around 30% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

Madeira’s dynamic marine and terrestrial landscape is subject to several microclimates, ranging from the mild mediterranean climate to the more formidable high mountain climate. The island therefore contains a variety of very different ecological niches that allowed the evolution of several endemic species that continue to fascinate biologists. As with most islands, Madeira was colonized by organisms with high dispersal rates such as various species of birds and plants.

For bird watchers Madeira is indeed a paradise both at sea and on land. At sea one would be lucky to enconter a Zino’s Petrel (Pterodroma madeira), a highly pelagic bird that is best recognized by the V-shape of its wings when drawn in flight and by the strong contrast between its dark upperside and white underside. It is one of the most endangered marine bird species worldwide, with a colony of around 250 adults that breed in the restricted mountainous areas of the island. Occasionally we are lucky to see one of these rare birds during our tours out at sea although they are easy mistakeable for the Bugios Petrel (Pterodroma feae), a similar looking marine bird that occurs across the archipelago and other macaronesian islands.

On land one may be lucky enough to see the Madeira laurel pigeon (Columba topaz), which is easily identified by its red breast and the white band across ist tail and inhabits the laurel forests at altitudes below 800m. Several subspecies of birds have also evolved such as the pretty Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea schmitzi), the Madeiran firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis) and the Madeiran chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs madeirensis). Apart from an endless list of insects, other endemic animals also include the highly successful Madeiran wall lizard (Lacerta dugesii)that lurks under almost every piece of rubble.

These animals and a variety of beautiful plant species that are endemic to the macaronesian islands such as the Canary laurel (Apollonia barbujana), the endangered (Pittosporum corriaceum) tree or the Tilo (Ocotea foetens) can be admired in the extensive natural parks that help facilitate the protection of these organisms. This is more than necessary as several anthropogenic activities have an enormous impact on the fragile, isolated ecosystems of islands. Habitat destruction through urbanization is a problem faced by all these organisms as well as the introduction of exotic species, which is especially challenging for nesting marine birds. Extinction is unfortunately a phenomenon best studied on islands making it imperative to further ensure the conservation of these species so we suggest you keep a sharp lookout for these rare beauties.

By Paula Thake