A checklist of Israeli land vertebrates

Shai Meiri, Amos Belmaker, Daniel Berkowic, Kesem Kazes, Erez Maza, Guy Bar-Oz, Roi Dor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Faunal lists are important tools in ecology, biogeography, and conservation planning. Such lists can identify gaps in our knowledge of the distribution and taxonomy of regional faunas, and highlight issues needing further study. We present an up to date list of all land vertebrates occurring in Israel. We identify 786 species, of which 551 are birds, 130 are mammals, 97 are reptiles and eight are amphibians. Of these 369 species breed in Israel (including reintroductions), 199 (mostly birds) are regular visitors and 182 are accidental. Fourteen other species are invasive, and 22 species are extinct. We identify issues with the taxonomy and status of several species, and note recent developments in our understanding the Israeli land vertebrate fauna.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43-70
Number of pages28
JournalIsrael Journal of Ecology and Evolution
Volume65
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biogeography
  • Israel
  • conservation
  • fauna
  • taxonomy
  • threat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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