Cyprus
The
island of Cyprus
comprises the Cyprus Mediterranean Forests ecoregion (EoE)
and is part of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot (Biodiversity
Hotspots). The following account covers the island
as a whole including the nation of Cyprus, Akrotiri, and Dhekelia.
Mammals unique to Cyprus include the Cyprus Spiny Mouse (Nature of Cyprus)
and the Cypriot Mouse Mus
cypriacus (BBC)
described in 2006. The Cyprus Mouflon Ovis orientalis ophion
(TrekNature)
is an endemic subspecies and the national animal of Cyprus.
Birds that breed exclusively on the island include the Cyprus Warbler (Nyctea
Ltd) and the Cyprus Pied Wheatear (birdguides.com).
Reptiles found nowhere else include the Cyprus Whip Snake
Coluber cypriensis (Amphibians
and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus) and the Troodos
Lizard which is sometimes
considered a full species Lacerta
(or Phoenicolacerta)
troodica (Amphibians
and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus) and sometimes classified as
a subspecies of the Lebanon Lizard Lacerta
laevis.
Butterflies known only from Cyprus include the Cyprus Grayling Hipparchia cypriensis
(Butterflies
of Cyprus), the Cyprus Meadow Brown Maniola cypricola (Matt's
European Butterflies), the Paphos Blue Glaucopsyche paphos (Matt's
European Butterflies), and two additional subspecies (see Butterflies
of Cyprus). Endemic longhorned beetles
include Purpuricenus
nicocles (Cerambycidae),
Agapanthia
nicosiensis (Cerambycidae),
and Trichoferus
antonioui (Cerambycidae).
Also endemic are the click beetles Ampedus
assingi (Elateridae)
and Drasterius makrisi
(Ruediger
Preiss), a stag beetle Dorcus
alexisi (Lucanes du
Monde), a scarab Propomacrus cypriacus (glaphyridae.com), a weevil Polydrusus
rhodiacus (curci.de),
a bush cricket Isophya
mavromoustakisi (TrekNature),
a jumping spider Aelurillus
cypriotus (Salticidae
of the World), and the scorpions Mesobuthus
cyprius (Scorpion
Files) and Buthus kunti (Species ID). Endemic land snails include Assyriella bellardii
(AnimalBase),
Trochoidea liebetruti
(AnimalBase),
and Helicopsis cypriola
(p. 4 of Naturalis
pdf file).
Among over 100 vascular plant species restricted to Cyprus (Cyprus
MOA pdf file) are the Cyprus Cedar Cedrus brevifolia (Cermbycidae),
the Golden Oak Quercus
alnifolia (Wikipedia),
Crocus
cyprius (IBS),
Delphinium
caseyi (ARKive),
the
Cyprus Tulip Tulipa
cypria (Flora
of North Cyprus), the Yellow Cyprus Sun
Rose Helianthemum
obtusifolium (BioLib),
the Troodos Rockcress Arabis kennedyae (ARKive),
Delphinium caseyi (moa.gov.cy),
a buttercup Ranunculus
kykkoensis (Nature
of Cyprus), Cyclamen cyprium (Cyclamen
Society), the
Golden Drops Onosma
fruticosa (Nature of Cyprus), the Pallid Squill Scilla
morrisii (IUCN
Red List), Allium autumnale (naturemuseum.org.cy),
Ornithogalum
chionophilum (Nature
of Cyprus), the
Cyprus Bee
Orchid Ophrys
kotschyi (Orchids
of Europe), and the Akamas
Centaury Centaurea
akamantis (ARKive).
Lindbergella sintenisii
(Nature of Cyprus) is an endemic genus
of grass. Many endemic plant species are covered in the Red Book of Cyprus Flora (National Red Lists pdf file).