Endemism.org provides biological reference material about endemic species, native distributions, taxonomy, biodiversity data, and geographic patterns of endemism. The information is intended for general research and reference use and should be interpreted within the scope and limitations of the sources on which it is based.
Biological information changes
Species taxonomy and distribution are revised as new evidence becomes available. A species may be split, merged, synonymized, transferred to another genus, recorded from a previously undocumented native locality, or reassessed under a different taxonomic treatment.
As a result, a species name, endemic classification, checklist, or numerical value published on Endemism.org may later require revision even when it accurately reflected the evidence available at the time of preparation.
Endemic status is not permanently fixed by publication on this site. It depends on the accepted taxonomic treatment and the best-supported understanding of a species’ natural native range.
Counts depend on dataset scope
Species counts from different sources may describe different biological units. One dataset may count accepted species, another may include subspecies or other taxa, and another may cover only assessed or documented groups.
National, regional, island, freshwater, plant, animal, and conservation datasets may also use different dates and methods. Figures from those sources should not be assumed to represent the same biological universe.
Where incompatible datasets exist, Endemism.org may present them separately rather than producing a single combined total.
No guarantee of complete coverage
Endemism.org does not claim that every page contains every endemic species known from the area or taxonomic group being described unless the supporting evidence clearly permits such a claim.
Some groups have detailed national checklists, while others are documented through partial inventories, regional studies, older publications, or datasets that do not expose individual species records.
A species absent from an Endemism.org checklist should not automatically be interpreted as absent from the geographic area or as non-endemic.
Distribution records require context
Occurrence records can show that an organism has been recorded at a locality, but they do not always establish whether the population is native, introduced, naturalized, cultivated, captive, or translocated.
Endemic status is based on natural native range. Records resulting from human introduction do not by themselves expand that range.
The absence of occurrence records outside an area is not proof that a species is naturally restricted to that area.
Authorities may disagree
Scientific authorities do not always use the same taxonomic treatment. One source may recognize a population as a separate species while another may treat it as a subspecies or synonym.
These differences can affect species counts and endemic status. Endemism.org may follow a current accepted treatment appropriate to the page without implying that every taxonomic authority uses the same classification.
Conservation information
Conservation categories and threatened-species figures may change when assessments are updated. An assessment also applies to the taxonomic concept and population information considered by the authority that issued it.
Information on Endemism.org does not replace the current records of the organization or government agency responsible for a conservation assessment or protected-species designation.
Biological status is not legal status
A species described as endemic, threatened, extinct, restricted-range, or otherwise biologically notable on Endemism.org is not necessarily subject to a particular legal protection.
Legal protections differ between countries and jurisdictions and may apply to species, habitats, land use, collection, trade, research, or other activities under separate laws and regulations.
Questions requiring a current legal determination should be checked with the relevant government or regulatory authority.
Professional and scientific decisions
Endemism.org can be used as a starting point for biological research and source discovery, but it should not be the sole basis for field surveys, environmental assessments, conservation planning, permitting, species management, land-use decisions, or other work requiring professional verification.
Projects that depend on the confirmed presence, absence, legal status, or exact range of a species should use current primary sources and, where appropriate, qualified professional assessment.
External databases and publications
The site cites external databases, government agencies, scientific publications, universities, museums, conservation authorities, and other organizations. Those sources operate independently from Endemism.org.
An external source may revise, move, remove, or replace material after an Endemism.org page has been published. Citation of a source does not mean that Endemism.org controls its future availability or every statement contained within it.
Maps and geographic descriptions
Geographic descriptions on Endemism.org are intended to communicate biological distribution. Boundaries used for islands, regions, watersheds, political areas, protected areas, or other geographic units may differ between data providers.
Geographic information on the site should not be used as a substitute for official cadastral, navigational, jurisdictional, surveying, or legal boundary data.
Errors and corrections
Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate species names, ranges, counts, and citations, but errors can occur in source material, interpretation, transcription, calculation, or publication.
Potential factual errors can be reported for review. A published value or record may be corrected when suitable evidence supports the change.
Use of the site
Endemism.org is provided on an informational basis without a guarantee that every page, dataset, citation, external link, or technical feature will always be complete, current, available, or suitable for a particular purpose.
Visitors are responsible for evaluating whether the information is appropriate for their intended use and for consulting primary or official sources when a decision requires current authoritative data.