Barbados

The world's smallest snake, the Barbados Threadsnake Leptotyphlops carlae (BBC), is only 10 cm long and was described in 2008 from Barbados. The Barbados Anole Anolis extremus (CalPhotos) occurs naturally only on Barbados, but has been introduced in St. Lucia and Bermuda. Other reptiles unique to the island include the Barbados Racer Liophis perfuscus (Smithsonian) which was last seen alive in 1961 and the Barbados Leaf-toed Gecko Phyllodactylus pulcher (JCM).

The Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis (Neotropical Birds) was recently recognized as a species distinct from the more widespread Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis.

Endemic invertebrates include a long-horned beetle Lagocheirus unicolor (Smithsonian), a jewel beetle Chrysobothris antillarum (AMNH), the Brown Hard-back Beetle Phyllophaga (or Phytalus) smithi (Internet Archive), a tarantula Cyrtopholis annectans (BHL), an endemic genus of pinnotherid crab Epulotheres angelae (AToL Decapoda pdf file), a eusocial snapping shrimp Synalpheus microneptunus (Zootaxa pdf file), a marine mollusc Monostiolum rosewateri (AMNH), and several land snails: Pleurodonte isabella (CalPhotos), and Truncatella barbadensis and Brachypodella costata (both at cavehill.uwi.edu).

There are perhaps two endemic plant species. Metastelma barbadense (Plants of the Eastern Caribbean) is a vine. Phyllanthus andersonii (Plants of the Eastern Caribbean) is a shrub that is often considered a synonym of the widespread Glochidion ellipticum (Kew). Agave barbadensis (CJS pdf file) is also sometimes considered a full species unique to the island.

Barbados is in the Windward Islands Xeric Scrub ecoregion (EoE) and is included in the Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot (Biodiversity Hotspots). The CBD Strategy and Action Plan for Barbados can be found at (CBD pdf file).