Fauna of Ireland
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2018) |
The fauna of Ireland comprises all the animal species inhabiting the island of Ireland and its surrounding waters.
Summary
This table uses figures supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.[1]
Phylum | Class(es) | Species | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Porifera (sponges) | Homoscleromorpha |
290 (list) | ||
Cnidaria | Anthozoa (sea anemones, soft coral) Hydrozoa (hydroids and siphonophores) Scyphozoa (true sea jellies) Staurozoa (stalked sea jellies) |
302 (list) | ||
Chordata | Ascidiacea (sea squirts) | 78 (list) | ||
Appendicularia (larvaceans) |
9 (list) | |||
Thaliacea (pelagic tunicates) | 11 (list) | |||
Hyperoartia (lampreys) |
3 (list) | |||
Myxini (hagfish) |
2 (list) | |||
Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) | 64 (list) | |||
Actinopterygii (ray-finned bony fish) | 363 (list) | |||
Amphibia | 4 (list) | |||
Reptilia | 16 (list) | |||
Aves (birds) | 444 (list) | |||
Mammalia |
79 (list) | 46 terrestrial, 33 marine | ||
Echinodermata | Ophiuroidea (brittle stars) |
192 (list) | ||
Arthropoda |
Crustacea |
1,774 (list) | ||
Arachnida | 860 (list) | |||
Myriapoda | 59 (list) | |||
Insecta |
7,162 | Lists: beetles, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers and bush-crickets, flies, Hymenoptera, bugs | ||
Mollusca | 1,088 (list) | |||
Annelida (segmented worms) | 321 | 241 marine, 80 non-marine (list) | ||
Bryozoa (moss animals) | Gymnolaemata, Stenolaemata | 100 (list) | ||
Parasitic helminths | 111 | |||
Other | 280 | "Others" includes 85 marine and 195 terrestrial/freshwater |
Vertebrates by class
Mammals
Only 26 land
Some species, such as theMegafaunal extinctions
In the
The Irish brown bear was a genetically distinct (clade 2) brown bear from a lineage that had significant
Reptiles
Only one land
Legend attributes the absence of snakes in Ireland to Saint Patrick, who is said to have banished them from the island, chasing them into the sea after they assailed him during a 40-day fast he was undertaking on top of a hill. In reality, no species of snake ever inhabited Ireland, due to it losing its land-bridge to Britain before snakes came north after the Ice Age.[8][9]
Amphibians
Three
Birds
About 400 bird species have been recorded in Ireland. Many of these species are migratory. There are Arctic birds, which come in the winter, and birds such as the swallow, which come from Africa in the summer to breed. Many birds which are common residents in Britain and continental Europe are rare or unusual in Ireland, examples include the tawny owl, willow tit, marsh tit, nuthatch, and all woodpecker species except the recently established great spotted woodpecker.[11] These are birds which do not move great distances and their absence may be due to Ireland's early isolation, but also Ireland's mild weather means early breeding and choice of best habitats which gives residents an advantage over visitors.
Although Ireland has fewer breeding species than Britain and Continental Europe (because there are fewer habitat types, fewer deciduous woodlands, Scots pine forests, heaths, and high mountain ranges), there are important populations of species that are in decline elsewhere.
The
Ireland has a rich marine
South-eastern Wexford is an important site for birds - the north side of Wexford Harbour, the North Slob, is home to 10,000 Greenland white-fronted geese each winter (roughly one-third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake is an important breeding site for terns, especially the roseate tern. Three-quarters of the world population of
In 2001, the
In July 2019,
Fish
Ireland has 375 fish species in its coastal waters
There are 24 species of
The
In a study of the marine fauna of the
Invertebrates by phylum
Insects and other arthropods
There are an estimated 11,500 species of insect recorded in Ireland (11,422 actual at October 2010: in well-known groups 1,400 of these moths, 33 species of dragonflies/damselflies and 34 species of butterfly). Many more remain to be found.
For atlases See Atlases of the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland
Notable Irish species include the freshwater pearl mussel, diving bell spider, marsh fritillary butterfly, Kerry slug, Semilimax pyrenaicus, freshwater crayfish, the white prominent moth, and Roesel's bush-cricket.
The aquatic insect fauna is listed by Ashe et al.[42]
Extinctions
Species that have become extinct in Ireland in historic times include the
Zoology museums
These are the
Research
Irelands position on the continental shelf favours marine both marine life and faunal studies. There are two research stations Queen’s Marine Laboratory located on Strangford Lough and the Ryan Marine Science Institute in Galway.
In 2000, scientists in Ireland commenced a research programme called "Ag-Biota", concerning the impact of modern agriculture on biodiversity.[46]
There is also continuous monitoring and research on Irish biodiversity carried out by the National Biodiversity Data Centre based in Waterford.
History
An early (1180) account of the fauna is given by Gerald of Wales in Topographia Hibernica and in 1652 Gerard Boate's Natural History of Ireland was published. Also in the 17th century Thomas Molyneux made observations. The Clare Island Survey (1909–11) organised by Robert Lloyd Praeger was the first comprehensive biological survey carried out in the world. It became a model for studies elsewhere.
Composition of the fauna
Details of the composition of the Irish fauna by group are given by Ferriss, S. E., Smith, K. G. and Inskipp, T. P.(editors), 2009 Irish Biodiversity: a taxonomic inventory of fauna.[47] The online source is not up to date for all taxa.
Further reading
- Cabot,D. 2009 Ireland Collins ISBN 978-0-00-730859-0Natural history of Ireland biological history, geology and climate, habitats and nature conservation. Flora and fauna
- Michael Chinery (1 May 2009). British Insects: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species. Harper Uk. ISBN 9780007298990.
- Eric Dempsey; Michael O'Clery (1 November 2010). The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds. ISBN 978-0-7171-4668-0.
- Clive D. Hutchinson (1989). Birds in Ireland. T & A.D Poyser. ISBN 978-0-85661-052-3.
- Nunn, J.D. (ed.) 2002 Marine Biodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ulster Museum publication no. 8.
- Irish Wildlife Manuals is a series of contract reports relating to the conservation management of habitats and species in Ireland. The volumes are published on an irregular basis by Ireland's National Parks and Wildlife Service.[48]
- Praeger, R. Ll. 1950. Natural History of Ireland. Collins, London.
- Michael Viney (15 October 2003). Ireland. ISBN 978-0-85640-744-4.
- Michael Viney; Ethna Viney (2008). Ireland's ocean: a natural history. Collins Press. ISBN 978-1-905172-66-5.
- Paul Sterry, Dr.; Derek Mooney (31 October 2004). Collins Complete Irish Wildlife: Photoguide. HarperCollins (UK). p. 2004. ISBN 9780007176298.
- Christopher Lever (November 2009). The Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland. New Holland Australia(AU). ISBN 978-1-84773-454-9.
- Niall Mac Coitir; Gordon D'Arcy (20 November 2010). Ireland's Animals: Myths, Legends & Folklore. ISBN 978-1-84889-060-2.
Scientific journals
- Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society
- Irish Naturalists' Journal
- Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy
See also
- Flora of Ireland
- List of mammals in Ireland
- List of birds of Ireland
- List of amphibians of Ireland
- List of reptiles of Ireland
- List of butterflies in Ireland
- List of moths of Ireland
- List of Diptera of Ireland
- List of Odonata species of Ireland
- List of non-marine molluscs of Ireland
- List of marine molluscs of Ireland
- List of Nemertea of Ireland
- List of seaslugs (Nudibranchia) of Ireland
- List of British Isles rockpool life
- Deer of Ireland
- Wolves in Ireland
- Bears in Ireland
- Belfast Natural History Society
- List of fish of Ireland
- Dublin University Zoological Association
- National Parks in the Republic of Ireland
- Irish zoologists History
- Lusitanian distribution
- Invasion biology terminology
- List of endemic species of the British Isles
- Fauna of Europe
- Synopses of the British Fauna
References
- ^ "Irish Biodiversity : a taxonomic inventory of fauna" (PDF). Npws.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Costello, M.J. and Kelly, K.S., 1993 Biogeography of Ireland: past, present and future Irish Biogeographic Society Occasional Publications Number 2
- ^ Edwards, Robin & al. "The Island of Ireland: Drowning the Myth of an Irish Land-bridge?" Accessed 15 February 2013.
- ^ Warner, Dick (28 January 2008). "Breaking the bank vole mystery".
- .
- PMID 21737280.
- ^ Collins, Richard (27 May 2019). "Mystery of Barbary ape at Eamhain Mhacha". Irish Examiner.
- ^ William Erigena Robinson (1842). St. Patrick and the Irish: an oration, before the Hibernian Provident Society, of New Haven, March 17, 1842. New Haven Hibernian Provident Society. p. 8.
- ^ "Snakeless in Ireland: Blame Ice Age, Not St. Patrick - National Geographic News". Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- PMID 16230033. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "RTÉNews". Archived from the original on 24 July 2009.
- ^ Coombes, R. H.et al., 2009 Countryside Bird Survey 1998-2007. BirdWatch Ireland Unpublished Report Publications Number 2
- ^ "Project Updates". Dublin, Ireland: Golden eagle Trust. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- RTÉ News. 30 May 2007. Archived from the originalon 3 November 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Rare eagle just released shot out of the sky". Independent.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Irish Examiner USA: First Red Kite Chicks In Ireland For 200 Years". Irishexaminerusa.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "White-tailed eagle takes flight in Ireland". Reuters. 16 August 2007.
- RTÉ News. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Irish bird population in ‘dramatic’ decline, Oireachtas committee to hear": The Irish Times, Jack Horgan-Jones, published 2/2/2019
- ^ a b c "Bird populations suffering serious decline - Birdwatch Ireland": RTÉ, David Murphy, published 7/2/2019
- ^ "Birdwatch call for examination of biodiversity loss": RTÉ, published 7/2/2019
- Irish Times, , published 7/2/2019
- ^ "Bird populations collapse: Today's warning": Irish Examiner, published 7/3/2019
- ^ "Irish bird numbers 'dramatically' declining with some species facing extinction": The Journal, published 2/2/2019
- ^ "List of Marine Fishes for Ireland". Fishbase.org. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "List of Freshwater Fishes reported from Ireland". Fishbase.org. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Cotton, D.C.F. (2007). "A critical review of Irish records of walrus Odobenus rosmarus (L.) with some unpublished observations from Counties Donegal, Sligo, and Galway". Ir. Nat. J. 28: 349–355.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Berrow, S. 2001.Biological diversity of cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) in Irish Waters. in Marine Bodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ed. J.D.Nunn. Ulster Museum. MAGNI publication no. 008
- ^ "Research: Giant Squid". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009.
- ^ Ellis, J.R., Lancaster, J.E, Cadman, P.S. and Rogers, S.I. 2001. The marine fauna of the Celtic Sea. in Marine Biodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ulster Museum publication no 8
- hdl:11019/563.
- ^ Anderson R., Nash, R. and O'Connor, J.P. 1997 Irish Coleoptera: a revised and annotated list Irish Naturalists' Journal Special Issue
- ^ Bond, K.G.M ., Nash, R. and O'Connor, J.P.2006 An annotated checklist of the Irish butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland
- ^ Chandler, P.J., Nash, R, and O'Connor, J.P 2008, An Annotated Checklist of the Irish Two-winged flies (Diptera) The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
- ^ Chandler, P.J. (1998). Checklist of Insects of the British Isles (New Series) Part 1: Diptera (Incorporating a List of Irish Diptera) Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects (PDF). Vol. 12. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ O'Connor, J.P,Nash, R. and Broad, G. 2009"> An Annotated Checklist of the Irish Hymenoptera The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
- ^ O'Connor. J.P. and Nelson, B., 2012> An Annotated Checklist of the Irish Hemiptera and Small Orders.The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
- ^ O'Connor, J. P. (2013). "Checklisting the Irish insects" (PDF). Antenna. 37 (3): 124–127.
- spiders, incorporating a revised catalogue of the species Irish Naturalists' Journal Special Issue
- ^ "CEDaR Literature Database". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
- ^ Ashe P., O'Connor J.P. & Murray D.A.: A Checklist of Irish Aquatic Insects. Occasional Publication of the Irish Biogeographical Society 3. Irish Biogeographical Society, Dublin, 1998, vi + 80 pp
- ^ The Irish Times, 1 May 2007.
- ^ D'Arcy, G., 1993 Ireland's Lost Birds Four Courts Press Ltd, Dublin
- ^ Dublin, Trinity College. "Museum : Zoology : Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland". Tcd.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Ag-Biota News and Links". Ucd.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Publications - National Parks & Wildlife Service" (PDF). Npws.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) - WebsiteIrish Wildlife Manuals". 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
External links
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (January 2018) |
- National Biodiversity Network NBN Atlas - UK’s largest collection of biodiversity information Distribution Maps (Ongoing)
- Biodiversity Ireland includes datasets and maps
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Habitas Ulster Museum Note some parts of this extensive website relate to Northern Ireland only.
- Fauna Europaea Archived 23 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Some parts are more complete than others. Northern Ireland and Ireland are separated.
- Colonisation of Ireland by the stoat Wayback Machine Provides a useful overview of post glacial colonisation.
- Irish Bees
- Water Beetles of Ireland
- Dragonflies of Ireland
- NPWS Irish Syrphidaedatabase
- The Crossley ID Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland
- Freshwater Fish of Ireland
- Fishbase Marine fish of Ireland. The species list accesses an account of the species in Ireland. For more go to the species page. Click on the photo here for more photos
- MarLIN Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland.
- Inventory of Irish Marine Wildlife Publications
- World Register of Marine Species
- Commons Red Deer Page Extensive illustration.
- Irish Species Register
- Biological Records Centre UK organisation but Atlas maps include Ireland.
- NIEA (MNRs, Ramsar sites and SPAs)
- Invasive Species
- MothsIreland Species lists (Micromoths separate). Maps.
- Eugenie Regan, Brian Nelson, Stephen McCormack, Robert Nash and James P. O’Connor 2010 Countdown to 2010: Can we assess Ireland's insect species diversity and loss Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol. 110B, No. 2, 109–117
- BHL Forbes, A.E., 1905 Gaelic names of beasts (Mammalia), birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, etc. in two parts: 1. Gaelic-English.- 2. English-Gaelic. Part 1. contains Gaelic names or terms for each of the above, with English meanings. Part 2. contains all the English names for which Gaelic is given in Part 1 Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd.
- EU-Nomen Pan-European Species Directories Infrastructure To access the Ireland list go to advanced search > occurrence then select Ireland from the menu. Accesses 12,503 Species and 432 Subspecies.
- Database of Irish Lepidoptera.1 Macrohabitats, microsites and traits of Noctuidae and butterflies Includes a generally applicable habitat list.
- BWARS Bees, wasps and ants maps and info
- The leaf and stem mines of British (Isles) flies and other insects
- Marine bivalve Mollusca of the British Isles
- Eunis Habitats Classification
- Marine species identification portal
- Marine Life Information Network