Endemic Species

30-second overview: Taiwan covers only 36,000 km², yet harbors a remarkably high density of endemic species: 29 endemic bird species, 14 mammal species, over 35 amphibian species, over 70 freshwater fish species, approximately 1,000 vascular plant species, and more than 56 endemic butterfly species. The Formosan black bear, Formosan salmon, and Mikado pheasant are the most well-known flagship species. The vertical compression of high mountains, low valleys, and coastal zones has created an evolutionary laboratory, while habitat destruction and invasive species are the most pressing threats. ¹

Why It Matters

Taiwan's endemic species are globally significant for biodiversity research. These unique life forms, shaped over tens of thousands of years of evolution, cannot be recovered once lost. The presence of endemic species also reflects the structural integrity of Taiwan's ecosystems, where each species plays an irreplaceable ecological role in food chains and habitat maintenance.

Overview

Taiwan sits at the edge of the Eurasian continental shelf. Its complex geological history and diverse ecological environments have fostered a high density of endemic species. From sea level to the 3,952-meter Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) main peak, the vertical elevation gradient creates tropical, subtropical, temperate, and alpine climate zones, providing habitats for a wide range of organisms. Endemic species span mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants, with endemism ratios varying significantly across groups: freshwater fish show an extremely high endemism rate, while mammals, though fewer in absolute numbers due to a smaller species base, still exhibit a notable proportion. ¹

Key Facts

By major group: 14 endemic mammal species (Formosan black bear, Formosan rock macaque, etc.), 29 endemic bird species (Mikado pheasant, Swinhoe's pheasant, Taiwan blue magpie, etc.), over 35 endemic amphibian species (Moltrecht's tree frog, Taipei tree frog, etc.), over 70 endemic freshwater fish species (Formosan salmon, Taiwan shovel-jaw carp, etc.), approximately 1,000 endemic vascular plant species (Taiwania, Taiwan red cypress, etc.), and 56 endemic butterfly species (Broad-tailed swallowtail, etc.). Many endemic species are classified as endangered or critically endangered, urgently requiring conservation. ²¹

In-Depth Content

Island Biogeography Background

Geological History The island of Taiwan formed approximately 5 million years ago through orogenic (mountain-building) movements. After Japan took control of Taiwan (1895), systematic博物学 (natural history) surveys began documenting the island's species; by 1906, endemic species of the Central Mountain Range such as the Mikado pheasant had been formally described. Glacial Land Bridges Repeated connections to and separations from the mainland during glacial periods created a unique evolutionary environment. Strait Isolation Geographic isolation by the Taiwan Strait allowed species to evolve independently, diverging from their mainland relatives.

Ecological Diversity From tropical coastal forests to alpine tundra, multiple ecosystems are packed into short distances, providing distinct evolutionary niches for different species. Climate Change Historical climatic fluctuations drove species to migrate vertically and adapt through differentiation.

Endemic Mammals

Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is Taiwan's largest terrestrial animal, distinguished by the white V-shaped chest mark. Current population estimates range from 200 to 600 individuals. Formosan rock macaque is widely distributed across the island and is the only native primate species.

Formosan wild boar is smaller than the Asian wild boar and adapted to mountainous environments. Formosan serow (Taiwan takin) is an adept rock climber found at mid-to-high elevations. Formosan sambar deer is the largest herbivore on the island, with males bearing magnificent antlers.

Endemic Birds

Mikado pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado, also known as the black long-tailed pheasant) is an endemic pheasant of Taiwan. Males display striking blue-and-black plumage with white-barred tail feathers. It is one of Taiwan's most treasured bird species and appears on the NT$1,000 banknote. ² Swinhoe's pheasant inhabits low-to-mid elevations; males have a blue belly and red facial wattles. Taiwan blue magpie has brilliant blue plumage and a long tail, making it one of the island's most beautiful birds.

Taiwan hwamei, Taiwan laughingthrush, and other leiothrichid birds showcase the diversity of Taiwan's mountain avifauna.

Endemic Fish

Formosan salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus) is a precious relict species from the glacial period, found only in the upper reaches of the Dajia River. It is known as the "national treasure fish." Taiwan shovel-jaw carp, Taiwan stone loach, and other freshwater fish reflect the uniqueness of the island's river systems.

Marine endemics include various coral reef fish and deep-sea species, reflecting the biogeographic distinctiveness of Taiwan's surrounding waters.

Endemic Plants

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) is a world-class precious conifer, reaching heights of 70 to 84 meters, making it the tallest native conifer species in Taiwan. ³ Taiwan red cypress and Taiwan hinoki cypress form the precious cypress forest ecosystem. Taiwan incense cedar and Taiwan taiwania further illustrate the uniqueness of Taiwan's flora.

Alpine plants such as Berberis morrisonensis and Juniperus squamata are adapted to the harsh high-elevation environment. Orchid endemics Taiwan has an exceptionally high proportion of endemic orchid species, many of which are valued in horticulture.

Endemic Insects

Taiwan is a paradise for endemic insects. Broad-tailed swallowtail (Agehana maraho) is a rare endemic butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 9–10 cm, found only in mid-elevation mountains of north-central Taiwan, with the Taiwan wingceltis (Celtis formosana) as its sole host plant. ⁴ Formosan long-armed scarab and rainbow stag beetle are among the beetles showcasing unique evolutionary adaptations.

Butterfly diversity Taiwan has approximately 400 recorded butterfly species, of which over 50 are endemic. Endemic moths are even more numerous, with many species still awaiting scientific description.

Conservation Status and Challenges

Habitat destruction Urban development, agricultural expansion, road construction, and other human activities threaten endemic species habitats. Climate change Rising temperatures are forcing alpine species to migrate to higher elevations, eventually leaving them with nowhere to go.

Invasive species Invasive plants such as Mikania micrantha (mile-a-minute weed) and Pomacea canaliculata (golden apple snail) compete with native species for resources. Overdevelopment Excessive tourism may disturb wildlife behavior.

Invisible War of Extinction: Invasive Species

Taiwan's invasive species problem is vast in scale. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency lists over 50 invasive plant species and over 30 invasive animal species under management. ⁵ The most severe cases include:

Mile-a-minute weed (Mikania micrantha) is the fastest-spreading invasive plant in Taiwan's mountains,缠绕原生植被 at a rate of several meters per week, and has invaded mid-elevation forest edges since the 2000s. Golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) was introduced from Argentina in 1979 for food; after being released into the wild, it exploded across rice paddies and wetlands island-wide, damaging rice crops and consuming native aquatic plants. Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) was discovered in Taoyuan in 2003 and has since spread to multiple counties and cities, directly threatening ground-dwelling animals (including some ground-nesting birds) in their foraging and nesting behavior.

The core difficulty in controlling invasive species is that once a population is established, eradication is nearly impossible—only management, not elimination, is feasible, and management costs rise exponentially over time. The Ministry of Agriculture allocates hundreds of millions of New Taiwan dollars annually for invasive species management, and a citizen reporting system (Invasive Species Reporting Platform) has been integrated into the monitoring network of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. ⁵

Conservation Efforts

National park system Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), Taroko, and Shei-Pa National Parks protect critical endemic species habitats. Protected area network Nature reserves and wildlife refuges provide legal protection.

Restoration programs The Wildlife Conservation Act (1989) established the legal foundation, after which programs such as Formosan salmon restoration and Formosan black bear population monitoring were launched. Citizen science Platforms such as eBird and iNaturalist encourage public participation in biological surveys.

August 1, 2023 marked the formal establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture. The former Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture was upgraded to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, integrating forest resource management and biodiversity conservation functions, formally bringing endemic species conservation under a more comprehensive legal framework. ⁵ In the same year, the former Endemic Species Research Center of the Executive Yuan's Council of Agriculture was reorganized into the Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, tasked with biodiversity surveys, monitoring, and research, becoming the core institution for compiling endemic species data in Taiwan. International cooperation Partnerships with international conservation organizations such as IUCN and TRAFFIC enhance conservation capacity. Environmental education Ecotourism and citizen science raise conservation awareness.

Global Significance

Taiwan's experience in endemic species conservation offers reference value for global island ecosystem conservation. Taiwan uniquely combines the vertical compression of high-mountain and lowland terrain with a tropical-to-alpine climate gradient, making it an ideal field site for studying island biogeography and evolutionary biology.

References

Further Reading

• Endemic species of Taiwan — Wikipedia
• Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency — Nature Conservation Network
• Robert Swinhoe — The first Western naturalist to systematically document Taiwan's species in the 1860s; Swinhoe's pheasant and the Yangtze giant softshell turtle named after him remain flagship species for Taiwan's endemic conservation
• Ornithology of Formosa — Swinhoe's 1863 The Ornithology of Formosa recorded 211 species, but Central Mountain Range endemics such as the Mikado pheasant, crested laughingthrush, and Taiwan hwamei were not formally described until 1906
• Black-faced spoonbill — Not a Taiwan endemic, but its urban population expansion in Taiwan is unique within its global range; the banding and recovery data accumulated through Taiwan's citizen science system constitute a world-class dataset

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