Interactive Map Reveals Locations of World's Most Extraordinary and Endangered Species

Some of the world's most unique and extraordinary species are also the most endangered. Now, scientists have pinpointed exactly where these creatures thrive. They've created an interactive map that reveals exactly what regions contain the highest concentrations of these species, which could help conservationists focus their resources.

The map actually reveals high priority areas for mammals and amphibians separately. In fact, you can easily see that the regions that need to be protected reflect the varied evolutionary histories and threats facing the two groups. For mammals, the best areas to preserve are in Southeast Asia, southern Africa and Madagascar. For amphibians, these regions include Central and southern America.

"These areas highlighted should all be global conservation priorities because they contain species that are not only highly threatened, but also unique in the way they look, live and behave," said Jonathan Baillie, one of the researchers involved in the project, in a news release. "These new maps will inform the development of larger-scale work to help secure the future of the most remarkable species on Earth."

So what species are at risk, exactly? Madagascar's black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of them. The largest lemur in the world, it's currently being threatened by hunting and the loss of its habitat through logging, mining and agriculture. Other species at risk include the Sunda pangolin, which is also known as the scaly anteater, as well as the black rhino and western lowland gorilla.

While mammals are certainly facing dire consequences and the possibility of extinction, though, amphibians may be worse off. These creatures are the most threatened vertebrates in the world. Some of the species that are highlighted on the map included the axolotl, which is critically endangered due to urbanization and polluted waters.

"The results of the mapping exercise are alarming," said Baillie in a news release. "Currently only five percent of the areas we've identified as priorities for EDGE mammals and 15 percent of the EDGE amphibian areas are protected."

Hopefully, this map will help highlight the issue and change it. Researchers hope that the interactive map will promote the allocation of resources to certain areas and will show conservationists where they should concentrate their efforts.

Want to see the interactive map for yourself? You can check it out here.

The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.