| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
==Other wildlife== | ==Other wildlife== | ||
===Mammals=== | ===Mammals=== | ||
| + | The Moluccas host 160 mammal species. Of these, 27 (17%) are endemic. Halmahera and Ternate each host an endemic cuscus species ('Phalanger ornatus' and 'P. matabiru' respectively) | ||
| + | |||
===Other groups=== | ===Other groups=== | ||
Wallace's giant bee (''Megachile pluto'') is the largest bee in the world. It is likely found (or existed) on Bacan, Halmahera, and Tidore. This species has only been rarely encountered and was filmed alive for the first time in 2019 [[#References|[1]]]. | Wallace's giant bee (''Megachile pluto'') is the largest bee in the world. It is likely found (or existed) on Bacan, Halmahera, and Tidore. This species has only been rarely encountered and was filmed alive for the first time in 2019 [[#References|[1]]]. | ||
Revision as of 01:02, 22 July 2023
Overview
The Moluccas are a group of islands in Indonesia. They are west of New Guinea, northwest of Australia, and east of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
Politically they form two Indonesian provinces:
- Maluku
- Ambon
- Aru
- Babar
- Banda
- Buru
- Kai
- Kisar
- Leti
- Seram
- Tanimbar
- Wetar
- North Maluku
- Ternate
- Bacan
- Halmahera
- Morotai
- Obi
- Sula
- Tidore
They lie in Wallacea, the biogeographical area between Asia and Australia.
Where communities rely on fishing the forest may remain relatively untouched. In general, the logging of rainforest for timber and the growing populations of the islands are a big threat to many species.
Birds
The avifauna is more Australasian than Asian with many endemic species of Birds-of-paradise, Honeyeaters and Whistlers for example.
Endemics
Regional endemics
See Sulawesi for a list of species shared with that Province.
Other notable species
Other wildlife
Mammals
The Moluccas host 160 mammal species. Of these, 27 (17%) are endemic. Halmahera and Ternate each host an endemic cuscus species ('Phalanger ornatus' and 'P. matabiru' respectively)
Other groups
Wallace's giant bee (Megachile pluto) is the largest bee in the world. It is likely found (or existed) on Bacan, Halmahera, and Tidore. This species has only been rarely encountered and was filmed alive for the first time in 2019 [1].
