Most of us have either read or heard about one of the most famous American novels, Typee, by Herman Melville—yes, the same author who later wrote the even more famous novel, Moby-Dick. Typee is a book in which Melville narrates his own experience in the distant lands now called Polynesia, where he encountered the mysterious natives, known today as Polynesians. It was through this novel that many Americans first learned about the enigmatic Polynesia and its people.
In this blog, we will explore today’s not-so-mysterious but still enchanting region of Polynesia and its diverse biodiversity.
What is Polynesia?
Polynesia is a triangular area formed by connecting the points of Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island. Other main island groups within this Polynesian Triangle include Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia. The native Polynesian people are a subset of Austronesian peoples and share origins with the indigenous people of Taiwan, Maritime Southeast Asia, Micronesia, and Madagascar.
Polynesian Flora and Fauna
Islands that are naturally formed and isolated from the mainland often develop flora and fauna that evolve independently, making them unique to those locations. This is also true for all the islands of Polynesia.
Polynesian Flora
Some signature trees of the Polynesian islands include coconut trees, breadfruit, banana, ceiba, ylang-ylang (also known as ilang-ilang), the Polynesian chestnut, and the Caribbean pine. Ylang-ylang oil is widely used in medicine.
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Polynesian Fauna
Birds, endemic to Polynesia
Polynesia is home to about 290 regularly occurring bird species, roughly 160 of which are endemic. An additional 25 endemic species became extinct after the arrival of Europeans. Some of the endemic birds of Polynesia include:
Pacific Swallow
Ultramarine Lorikeet
Polynesian Ground Dove (critically endangered)
Atoll Fruit Dove
Niau Kingfisher
Rapa Shearwater (a very rare seabird)
Tuamotu Sandpiper (endangered)
Many flightless birds on these islands, along with other species, also became extinct.
Animals, endemic to Polynesia
The only terrestrial mammals native to Polynesia are 15 species of bats, 11 of which are endemic. Two other endemic bat species have become extinct.
There are more than 60 species of native terrestrial reptiles in the region, including seven species of snakes, the saltwater crocodile, and more than 50 species of lizards, with over 30 of these being endemic. Additionally, three species of frogs, the only amphibians native to Polynesia, are found here.
Polynesian underwater fauna is particularly rich in species, including parrotfish, coral fish, trumpetfish, triggerfish, moray eels, sharks, and groupers. Octopuses and various species of crabs and crustaceans are also abundant.
One of the main reasons marine life here is so unique and thriving is the presence of coral, which serves as a vital source of life in this heaven-like ecosystem.
As mentioned earlier, many plants on these islands are also unique to this ecosystem.
Did You Know?
· The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are called Polynesians. They have many things in common, including language, cultural practices, and traditional beliefs.
· In centuries past, they had a strong shared tradition of sailing and using the stars to navigate at night, exploring the farthest reaches of the ocean.
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