Endemically: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'endemically' comes from 'endemic', which has Greek roots: 'en' means 'in', and 'demos' means 'people' or 'population'.
• It first appeared in the English language in the 1800s, originally used to describe diseases that are native to specific areas.

Biology

• Certain species of plants and animals are termed 'endemic' if they are found nowhere else in the world, like the lemurs of Madagascar.
• Endemic species often evolve unique traits that help them adapt to their specific environments.

Geography

• Regions with high levels of endemism, like the Galápagos Islands, are important for biodiversity and offer insights into evolution.
• Islands and isolated areas tend to have more endemic species because the organisms adapt uniquely to their environments.

Medicine

• In medicine, an 'endemic' disease is one that occurs regularly in a particular area, such as malaria in some tropical regions.
• Public health strategies often focus on managing endemic diseases to reduce their impact on local populations.

Environmental Science

• Endemically occurring species can be highly vulnerable to environmental changes due to their restricted habitats.
• Conservation efforts often aim to protect endemic species, as they can be indicators of ecosystem health.

At position #40,353, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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• 40350 dratted
• 40351 strugglers
• 40352 moonshiner
• 40353 endemically
• 40354 proselytized
• 40355 oddballs
• 40356 blithering
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