1065 vertebrate, 642 invertebrates and 1807 insect species in state
19.05.12
PUNE: The assessment of the faunal diversity of the state, a study carried out by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune, has found that there are 1,065 species of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles) in the state. Of these, 165 are endemic (habitat restricted) to India and are also found in Maharashtra, while 26 are endemic only to the state and 70 species are threatened as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list.
The study also found that there are 642 species of invertebrates (animals without backbones, like scorpions, crabs, molluscs, freshwater sponges, centipedes, crutaceans, roundworms, among others) and 1,807 insects in the state. The areas for the study included the protected areas (national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserve), wetlands and almost all districts of the state.
Under the classification of vertebrates (animals with backbones), it was found that there are 215 species of fish, 53 species of amphibians, 117 reptiles, 551 birds and 129 mammals.
Source: Times of India