The following points highlight the five main zoogeographical realms of animals. The realms are: 1. The Holarctic Realm 2. The Ethiopian Realm 3. The Oriental Realm 4. The Neo-Tropical Realm 5. The Australian Realm.
1. The Holarctic Realm:
This realm is often broken up into the Palearctic realm (Old World) and the Nearctic realm (North America), and are separated by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
A. The Palearctic Realm:
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Includes whole of Europe, Asia—north of Himalayas and Ming Ling Mountains and Africa—north of the Sahara desert.
Amphibia- Necturus and Siren.
Mammalia- Rodents, ox’s, sheep, goat, deer, antelope, bear, etc.
B. The Nearctic Realm:
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The realm consists of North America and Greenland.
In addition to many species of Palearctic realm it possesses:
Reptilia—iguanas and rattlesnakes.
Mammalia—American opossum, raccoons, and some rodents.
2. The Ethiopian Realm:
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It comprises Africa—south of the Sahara desert.
Aves—ostrich, secretary bird.
Mammalia—giraffe, lion, hippopotamus, elephant, rhinoceros.
3. The Oriental Realm:
It includes portions of Asia—south of the Himalayas and Ming Ling Mountains.
Aves—peacock.
Mammalia—tarsiers, orangutan, Indian elephant, rhinoceros, flying fox.
4. The Neo-Tropical Realm:
It comprises South and Central America.
Fish—lungfish.
Reptilia—rattlesnake, alligator.
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Aves—Rheas.
Mammalia—tapirs, sloth, prehensile- tailed monkey, vampire bats.
5. The Australian Realm:
It includes Australia and associated islands.
Fish—Australian lungfish;
Reptilia—Sphenodon.
Aves—kiwi, emu, cassowaries, brush turkeys, lyre birds, birds of paradise.
Mammalia—Monotremata, most marsupials.