Climate flora and fauna of South America. Fauna of South America

NATURE OF CONTINENTS AND OCEANS

§ 33. PLANT AND ANIMAL WORLD OF SOUTH AMERICA

What continent is South America similar in natural conditions to?

South America, like Africa, is located mainly in the hot zone. This led to the existence there tropical forests, savannas and deserts.

Location South America in the hot zone, determined the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the mainland.

Evergreen and multi-tiered tropical forests stretch on both sides of the equator. The tropical forests of South America are wetter than those in Africa, so the flora and fauna there are more diverse. In the upper tier of the forest there are trees with spreading crowns up to 80 m high, under them there are palm trees, ficus, bananas, pineapples, papaya (or melon tree), cocoa (or chocolate tree), vines, orchids (Fig. 104).

Orchids Cocoa Papaya

Rice. 104. Plants of the tropical forests of South America

Animals inhabit all layers of the tropical forest. The kingdom of spiders and insects reigns here. Many different monkeys and birds live in the trees. Only in tropical forests South America is home to the longest snake, the anaconda, and its main enemy, the jaguar. Only here you can meet tiny hummingbirds and large predatory harpies.

Consider the animals that live in the tropical forests of South America, read their names (Fig. 105).

Anaconda Hummingbird Macaw

Jaguar Sloth Harpy

Rice. 105. Animals of the tropical forests of South America

To the north and south of the rainforests lie savannas covered with grasses, trees and shrubs. In the north, they are very reminiscent of African savannas, but here palm trees grow instead of baobabs.

In the drier savannas, which are located south of the equator, trees do not grow. Shrubs and tree-like cacti predominate here, the stems of which accumulate water reserves. What happens here is that the kebrago tree is very hard and sinks in the water.

In South American savannas, unlike African ones, the fauna is somewhat poorer. You won't find large flocks of herbivores here.

Look at the animals of the savannas of South America, read their names (Fig. 106).

Tapir Anteater Nandu

Rice. 106. Animals of the South American savannas

Deserts in South America are located in the south of the continent. The vegetation cover in the desert is very sparse and poor. Mostly small animals live here: lizards, snakes and rodents.

The tropical forests and savannas of South America are characterized by a diversity of plants and animals. Deserts are home to organisms adapted to the lack of water.

1. Why is the flora and fauna of South America so diverse? 2. What are the flora and fauna of tropical forests like? 3. What plants and animals are common in the savannas of South America? 4. What plants and animals are in the deserts of South America? 5. Find information and prepare a report about a plant or animal common in South America.

For a long time, South America was an island continent, and the animal world developed here in complete isolation. For a long time, South America was an island continent, and the animal world developed here in complete isolation. Animal world South America is one of the amazing and unique wonders of nature. All living things are presented in an amazing variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many inhabitants are found nowhere else in the world. The fauna of South America is one of the amazing and unique wonders of nature. All living things are presented in an amazing variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many inhabitants are found nowhere else in the world.

EQUATORIAL FORESTS Characteristic A characteristic feature of the mainland is the presence of impenetrable evergreen equatorial equatorial forests. forests They are distinguished by their exceptional density, density, shade, richness, richness and diversity of species composition, composition, abundance of lianas and epiphytes. The crowns of the trees of the trees completely hide what is happening on the ground (view (view from an airplane). The equatorial forests of the Amazon occupy one of the first places in the world in terms of extent. The road in the Amazonian lowland, almost all the space is occupied by endless jungle .

TROPICAL FOREST K equatorial belt The humid evergreen forests of the Amazon River basin are adjacent to the north and south by a zone of evergreen subtropical forests. These equatorial and tropical forests are called selva, or selva (meaning "forest" in Portuguese). Swampy tropical forest of the Brazilian plateau

Ceiba Ceiba (cotton tree) (cotton tree) The tree is m high, has a very wide trunk with supports. The trunk and large branches are covered with very large, prickly thorns. Inside, the walls of the fruit are covered with fluffy yellowish hairs, reminiscent of cotton. The tree is m high, has a very wide trunk with supports. The trunk and large branches are covered with very large, prickly thorns. Inside, the walls of the fruit are covered with fluffy yellowish hairs, reminiscent of cotton.

Victoria - region Leaves with a diameter of up to 2 m can withstand a load of up to 50 kg. It blooms once every 10 years with pink flowers reminiscent of water lilies. Leaves with a diameter of up to 2 m can withstand a load of up to 50 kg. It blooms once every 10 years with pink flowers reminiscent of water lilies.

Rubber plant (Hevea) From a cut in the bark of a tree, sap is obtained - latex, and from latex - rubber. The Indians of the Amazon basin began to wear rubber shoes before the Europeans. They put their foot under the flowing juice. The frozen rubber took the shape of the foot. The homeland of Hevea is Indonesia. From a cut in the bark of a tree, sap is obtained - latex, and from latex - rubber. The Indians of the Amazon basin began to wear rubber shoes before the Europeans. They put their foot under the flowing juice. The frozen rubber took the shape of the foot. The homeland of Hevea is Indonesia.

Cocoa tree or chocolate tree The fruit resembles a cucumber, contains up to 60 seeds from which cocoa and chocolate are prepared. When Europeans first tried raw grains, they did not like them, and when the locals treated them to a drink made with sugar cane, the Europeans called it “food of the gods.” The fruit resembles a cucumber and contains up to 60 seeds from which cocoa and chocolate are prepared. When Europeans first tried raw grains, they did not like them, and when the locals treated them to a drink made with sugar cane, the Europeans called it “food of the gods.”

Sloth Their habitat is tropical forests. Here sloths hang on tree branches high from the ground; You almost never see them below, and you won’t immediately notice them on a tree: the animals almost merge with their surroundings - the foliage of the trees. Their only enemies are large birds of prey, snakes and large cats of prey. The only way these harmless animals can defend themselves is to remain unnoticed, which is due to their extreme slowness and the greenish tint of the sloth's long, coarse fur. The sloth's favorite pastime is hanging calmly in the crown of a tree in the rainforest. They sleep 15 hours a day. The lifespan of a sloth in the wild is years. Their habitat is tropical forests. Here sloths hang on tree branches high from the ground; You almost never see them below, and you won’t immediately notice them on a tree: the animals almost merge with their surroundings - the foliage of the trees. Their only enemies are large birds of prey, snakes and large cats of prey. The only way these harmless animals can defend themselves is to remain unnoticed, which is due to their extreme slowness and the greenish tint of the sloth's long, coarse fur. The sloth's favorite pastime is hanging calmly in the crown of a tree in the rainforest. They sleep 15 hours a day. The lifespan of a sloth in the wild is years.

Jaguar The Jaguar is a strong predator with virtually no enemies. Body length up to 2 m, tail up to 75 cm, weight kg. Unlike most large cats, the jaguar is not afraid of water and swims perfectly, crossing even wide rivers. Good at climbing trees. Feeds on vertebrates, both large and small; catches wading birds in the reeds, deftly pulls fish out of the water with his paw. The main prey are deer, tapirs, and monkeys. The jaguar is a strong predator with virtually no enemies. Body length up to 2 m, tail up to 75 cm, weight kg. Unlike most large cats, the jaguar is not afraid of water and swims well, crossing even wide rivers. Good at climbing trees. Feeds on vertebrates, both large and small; catches wading birds in the reeds, deftly pulls fish out of the water with his paw. The main prey are deer, tapirs, and monkeys.

Opossum The opossum's body length is more than 47 cm, its tail length is about 43 cm, its weight is from 1.6 to 5.7 kg. The legs are short, the muzzle is sharp, the tail is long, almost always bare. The possum effectively plays dead. He falls on his side, his body seems to stiffen, his eyes become glassy, ​​his tongue hangs out of his half-open mouth. This will often result in the opossum drooling, defecating, and releasing a sickening greenish substance. A surprised predator, as a rule, ceases to be interested in the animal, thinking that it is carrion, and the opossum, having had the opportunity, hides. The possum's body length is more than 47 cm, its tail length is about 43 cm, and its weight is from 1.6 to 5.7 kg. The legs are short, the muzzle is sharp, the tail is long, almost always bare. The possum effectively plays dead. He falls on his side, his body seems to stiffen, his eyes become glassy, ​​his tongue hangs out of his half-open mouth. This will often result in the opossum drooling, defecating, and releasing a sickening greenish substance. A surprised predator, as a rule, ceases to be interested in the animal, thinking that it is carrion, and the opossum, having had the opportunity, hides.

Tapir Tapirs are a bit like a hybrid of a wild boar and a hippopotamus. They are excellent swimmers and can easily cross even wide rivers. Their appearance and habits misled scientists of the 18th century, and they considered them relatives of the hippopotamus. Today it is known that tapirs are much closer to rhinoceroses and horses. Tapirs are a bit like a hybrid of a wild boar and a hippopotamus. They are excellent swimmers and can easily cross even wide rivers. Their appearance and habits misled scientists of the 18th century, and they considered them relatives of the hippopotamus. Today it is known that tapirs are much closer to rhinoceroses and horses.

Hummingbirds Because of their bright plumage, shimmering in different shades in the light, the Aztecs called them “rays of the sun”, “dew drops”. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds on Earth. Body length from 5.5 (Cuban hummingbird-bee) to 20 cm (giant hummingbird), weight from 1.6 to 20 g. In flight they can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, making up to 50 flaps per second. A hummingbird eats 2 times more flower nectar per day. own weight. There are about 320 species of hummingbirds in America. Because of their bright plumage, shimmering in different shades in the light, the Aztecs called them “rays of the sun”, “dew drops”. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds on Earth. Body length from 5.5 (Cuban hummingbird-bee) to 20 cm (giant hummingbird), weight from 1.6 to 20 g. In flight they can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, making up to 50 flaps per second. During the day, a hummingbird eats 2 times its own weight in flower nectar. There are about 320 species of hummingbirds in America. Such small birds seem completely defenseless against any predator. But that's not true. Hummingbirds are able to repel a snake creeping up to the nest, predatory falcons, and owls. A sharp beak, aimed straight at the eye and flying at the speed of an arrow fired from a bow, is a serious weapon that can not only scare away, but also blind a predator.

Macaw Parrot These birds are one of the largest and brightly colored parrots. Its body length is up to 95 cm. They are easily tamed and can “speak”, so they are often caught, which has led to a reduction in the number of macaws in nature. Many species of macaw parrots are listed in the International Red Book. These birds are one of the largest and brightly colored parrots. Its body length is up to 95 cm. They are easily tamed and can “speak”, so they are often caught, which has led to a reduction in the number of macaws in nature. Many species of macaw parrots are listed in the International Red Book. Gathering in large flocks, these birds make devastating raids on fruit plantations. The powerful beaks of macaws easily crush nuts and hard seeds of tropical fruits. Their beaks are probably the strongest in the entire feathered tribe. A macaw parrot sitting in a cage can bite through a steel fence rod up to 2 mm thick.

Toucan Toucans are relatives of our woodpecker. The toucan has a large, bright beak with small jagged edges. The serrations on the beak help to hold the fruits on which the bird feeds. The plumage makes the toucan invisible in the tropical greenery. It deftly climbs trees, clinging to trunks and branches with its strong four-fingered paws, but flies reluctantly. The length of toucans is cm.

Monkey – capuchin Distinctive feature This monkey is already naked from early youth, with a wrinkled or folded forehead of a light meat color. The predominant color is more or less dark brown; temples, sideburns, throat, chest and belly covered with sparse hair, as well as shoulders of a light brown color. Capuchin body length is cm, tail length is cm, weight is 2-4 kg. The area of ​​distribution of the capuchin beyond the South Tropic and beyond the Andes. A distinctive feature of this monkey is that it is naked from early youth, wrinkled or covered with folds, the forehead is light, meat-colored. The predominant color is more or less dark brown; temples, sideburns, throat, chest and belly covered with sparse hair, as well as shoulders of a light brown color. Capuchin body length is cm, tail length is cm, weight is 2-4 kg. The area of ​​distribution of the capuchin beyond the South Tropic and beyond the Andes.

Nosukha Nosukha got its Russian name for its very long muzzle with the long end of the nose constantly in motion. Body length cm, tail cm, weight 4.5-6 kg. It feeds mainly on small animals, as well as frogs, lizards, small rodents, turtle eggs, fruits and seeds. It lives in tropical rainforests, as well as in bushes. Nosukha got its Russian name for its very long muzzle with the long end of the nose constantly in motion. Body length cm, tail cm, weight 4.5-6 kg. It feeds mainly on small animals, as well as frogs, lizards, small rodents, turtle eggs, fruits and seeds. It lives in tropical rainforests, as well as in bushes.

SAVANNAS Equatorial forests are replaced by grass palm savannas, which occupy mainly subequatorial and tropical climatic zones. The savannas in the Orinoco Lowland are called llanos (from Spanish - “flat”). The savannas of the Brazilian plateau - campos (from Portuguese - “plain”) occupy a much larger area than the llanos. The appearance of llanos and campos is approximately the same. In the savannas of the Southern Hemisphere, tree vegetation is poorer. Twisted cacti, studded with thorns and prickles, as well as low-growing trees and shrubs grow here. Compared to African savannas, the fauna is also poor.

Anteater Anteaters are striking primarily with their unusually long, tube-shaped, slightly curved snout. They need it in order to get food. Having found an anthill or termite mound, the anteater digs the ground with its front paws, equipped with strong claws, reaching the passages in which small insects run. Sticking his narrow muzzle into the hole, he catches them with a very long, flexible and sticky tongue. One anteater can eat up to 35 thousand individuals per day. Enemies giant anteater- puma and jaguar. No one knows how long anteaters live in the wild. In captivity they live up to 25 years.

Armadillo About 20 species of armadillos are known. Distributed in South and Central America, some species in the south North America. The body length of different species varies from up to 100 cm. The body of animals from head to tail is covered with a hard bony shell with horny plates that form rows. The plates are connected by folds of skin, which gives the shell mobility. The armadillo reaches 1 m in length. It feeds on insects and larvae. About 20 species of armadillos are known. Distributed in South and Central America, some species - in the south of North America. The body length of different species varies from up to 100 cm. The body of animals from head to tail is covered with a hard bony shell with horny plates that form rows. The plates are connected by folds of skin, which gives the shell mobility. The armadillo reaches 1 m in length. It feeds on insects and larvae. During the day, the armadillo hides in burrows, and at night it wanders in search of food. In case of danger, it quickly burrows into the ground. Armadillo meat is edible and is hunted.

Steppe - pampa (“space devoid of woody vegetation”) The pampa of South America is a huge, endless plain overgrown with feather grass and pampas grass. Very fertile soils formed here. The fauna is less diverse than the equatorial forests. Lots of rodents (nutria, viscacha). The Pampa of South America is a huge, endless plain covered with feather grass and pampas grass. Very fertile soils formed here. The fauna is less diverse than the equatorial forests. Lots of rodents (nutria, viscacha).

One of the largest predators, the puma, lives in the pampa (the black representatives are called panthers). This is the most cunning, most courageous and bloodthirsty representative of cats, the executioner of the jaguar and the scourge of ruminants, never attacks a person. One of the largest predators, the puma, lives in the pampa (the black representatives are called panthers). This is the most cunning, most courageous and bloodthirsty representative of cats, the executioner of the jaguar and the scourge of ruminants, never attacks a person.

Ostrich Rhea The ostrich Rhea lives in eastern South America. Body length 1.5 m; height 1.7 m; wingspan up to 2.5 m; weight kg or more. It feeds on grass, as well as insects and other small animals. Lives in grassy steppe. The rhea ostrich lives in eastern South America. Body length 1.5 m; height 1.7 m; wingspan up to 2.5 m; weight kg or more. It feeds on grass, as well as insects and other small animals. Lives in grassy steppe. The number has noticeably decreased due to intensive hunting; at present, these birds are preserved in remote, inaccessible areas. The number has noticeably decreased due to intensive hunting; at present, these birds are preserved in remote, inaccessible areas.

Semi-deserts and deserts occupy no large area. They are located in subtropical and temperate climate zones. The vegetation is represented by dry grasses and cushion-shaped shrubs. The same animals live in semi-deserts as in the pampa. This harsh region called Patagonia. Guanaco Lama Wild llamas live in Western South America. They live in herds. Llamas serve primarily as pack animals. With a load of kg they can travel 20 km per day. They feed on grass and leaves. Llama body length is 1.5-2 m; tail - cm; weight kg. Can carry loads up to 40 kg. Belongs to the camel group. Wild llamas live in Western South America. They live in herds. Llamas serve primarily as pack animals. With a load of kg they can travel 20 km per day. They feed on grass and leaves. Llama body length is 1.5-2 m; tail - cm; weight kg. Can carry loads up to 40 kg. Belongs to the camel group.

Condor Large vulture with shiny black plumage. The body length exceeds 1 m, the wingspan is up to 3 meters. It nests at an altitude of 3 – 5 thousand m. This is one of the longest-living birds in the world (up to 50 years). Lives high in the mountains between 3000 and 5000 m altitude. It feeds exclusively on carrion. Large vulture with shiny black plumage. The body length exceeds 1 m, the wingspan is up to 3 meters. It nests at an altitude of 3 – 5 thousand m. This is one of the longest-living birds in the world (up to 50 years). Lives high in the mountains between 3000 and 5000 m altitude. It feeds exclusively on carrion.

The main area of ​​the vast territory of the South American mainland extends in equatorial-tropical latitudes, so it does not feel a lack of sunlight, although the climate of this part of the world is not at all as hot as Africa.

It is the wettest continent on the planet, and there are many natural reasons for this. The difference in pressure between warm land and the ocean environment, currents off the coast of the continent; The Andes mountain range extends across a huge part of its territory, blocking the path of westerly winds and contributing to increased humidity and significant amounts of precipitation.

The climate of South America is extremely diverse, because the continent extends through six climatic zones: from subequatorial to temperate. Along with areas of fertile nature, there are areas known for mild winters and cool summers, but famous for frequent rain and winds.

In the center of the continent there is much less precipitation. And the highlands are distinguished by clean, dry air, but a harsh climate, where the bulk of the heavenly moisture falls, even in the summer months, in the form of snow, and the weather is capricious, constantly changing throughout the day.

A person does not survive well in such places. Naturally, the vicissitudes of the weather also affect other organisms living there.

It is not surprising that given the data natural features, the world of fauna is incredibly diverse and rich. List of animals of South America is very extensive and impressive with its individual bright features of organic life that has taken root in this territory. It includes many beautiful and rare species of creatures that amaze with their fantastic originality.

What animals are in South America live? Most have adapted perfectly to existence in harsh conditions, because some of them have to endure the discomfort of tropical downpours and survive in the highlands, getting used to the characteristics of savannas and subequatorial forests.

The fauna of this continent is amazing. Here are just some of its representatives, the diversity of which can be seen at photo of animals of South America.

Sloths

Interesting forest-dwelling mammals are known throughout the world as very slow creatures. The peculiar animals are closely related to armadillos and anteaters, but purely outwardly they have little resemblance to them.

Number of sloth species included animals endemic to South America, only about five. They are united into two families: two-toed and three-toed sloths, which are quite similar to each other. They are half a meter tall and weigh about 5 kg.

Remind external features the appearance of an awkward monkey, and their thick, shaggy hair looks like a haystack. It is curious that the internal organs of these animals differ in structure from other mammals. They lack hearing and visual acuity, their teeth are underdeveloped, and their brain is quite primitive.

The animal in the photo is a sloth

Armadillos

Fauna of South America would be significantly poorer without mammals. These are the most unusual animals among the edentates, a group that includes sloths.

The animals are dressed by nature in something similar to chain mail, as if clad in armor, girded with hoops consisting of bone plates. They have teeth, but very small size.

Their vision is not well developed, but their sense of smell and hearing are quite acute. When feeding, such animals grab food with their sticky tongue, and are able to bury themselves in loose soil in the blink of an eye.

Pictured is an armadillo

Ant-eater

Scroll South American animal names would not be complete without such an amazing creation as. This is an ancient, outlandish mammal that existed in the early Miocene era.

These representatives of the fauna inhabit the territories of savannas and wet forests, and also live in swampy areas. They are divided by scientists into three genera, differing in weight and size.

Representatives of the genus of giants weigh up to 40 kg. They, like members of the genus of large anteaters, spend their lives on the ground and cannot climb trees. Unlike relatives, pygmy anteaters, skillfully moving along trunks and branches with the help of clawed paws and a prehensile tail.

Anteaters do not have teeth, and spend their lives searching for termite mounds and anthills, absorbing their inhabitants with the help of a sticky tongue, sticking their long nose into the insects' habitat. An anteater can eat several tens of thousands of termites per day.

The animal in the photo is an anteater

Jaguar

Among South American forest animals, dangerous predator, killing with one jump, is . It is precisely in his dexterous, lightning-fast ability to kill his victims that the meaning of the name of this beast, translated from the language of the indigenous inhabitants of the continent, lies.

The predator is also found in shrouds and belongs to the panther genus, reaches a weight of just under 100 kg, has a spotted color like a leopard, and has a long tail.

Such animals live in the north and central parts of America, but are found in Argentina and Brazil. And in El Salvador and Uruguay some time ago they were completely exterminated.

In the photo there is a jaguar

Mirikina monkey

American monkeys are endemic, and differ from their relatives living on other continents by a wide partition separating the nostrils of these animals, for which many zoologists call them broad-nosed monkeys.

This type of creature inhabiting mountain forests includes the Mirikina, otherwise called durukuli. These creatures, which are about 30 cm tall, are notable for the fact that, unlike others, they lead owl image life: they hunt at night, seeing perfectly and orienting themselves in the dark, and sleep during the day.

They jump like acrobats, eat small birds, insects, frogs, fruits and drink nectar. They can make a huge number of interesting sounds: they bark and meow like a dog; roar like jaguars; chirping and chirping like birds, filling the darkness of the night with devilish concerts.

Monkey Mirikina

Titi monkey

It is not known exactly how many species of such monkeys exist in South America, since they have taken root in impenetrable forests, whose wilds cannot be fully explored.

In appearance, titi resemble mirikin, but have long claws. During the hunt, they guard their prey on the branch of a tree, tucking their arms and legs together and lowering their long tail down. But at the right moment, in the blink of an eye, they deftly grab their victims, be it a bird flying in the air or a living creature running along the ground.

Pictured is a titi monkey

Saki

These monkeys live in the forests of the interior regions of the continent. They spend their lives on the tops of trees, especially in areas of the Amazon that are flooded with water for a long time, as they cannot tolerate dampness.

They jump on branches very deftly and far, and walk on the ground on their hind legs, helping themselves to maintain balance with their front legs. Zoo workers, observing these animals, noticed their habit of rubbing their own fur with pieces of lemon. And they drink by licking the water from their hands.

White-faced saki

Uakari monkey

Close relatives of the saki, living in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, are known for the shortest tail among the continent's monkeys. These peculiar creatures, classified as endangered species and rare animals of South America, have red faces and a bald forehead, and with their lost and sad expression on their faces they look like an old person, confused in life.

However, appearances are deceptive, because the character of these creatures is cheerful and cheerful. But when they are nervous, they smack their lips noisily and shake the branch they are on with all their might.

Uakari monkey

Howler

South American harpy bird

Titicaca whistler frog

Otherwise, this creature is called a scrotum due to the flabbiness of its skin, hanging in folds. She uses her fancy skin for breathing, since her lungs are small in volume.

This is the largest frog in the world, found in the reservoirs of the Andes and Lake Titicaca. Some specimens grow up to half a meter and weigh about a kilogram. The color of the back of such creatures is dark brown or olive, often with light spots, the belly is lighter, creamy-gray.

Titicaca whistler frog

American manatee

A large mammal that inhabits the shallow waters of the Atlantic coast. Capable of living also in fresh water bodies. Average length is three or more meters, weight in some cases reaches 600 kg.

These creatures are colored a rough gray and have flipper-like forelimbs. They eat plant foods. Possess poor vision, but communicate by touching their muzzles.

American manatee

Amazonian inia dolphin

The largest of the. His body weight can be 200 kg. These creatures are dark in color and sometimes have a reddish skin tone.

They have small eyes and a curved beak covered with tinny bristles. No more live in captivity three years and are difficult to train. They have poor eyesight, but a developed echolocation system.

Inia river dolphin

Piranha fish

This aquatic creature, famous for its lightning-fast attacks, received the title of the most voracious fish on the continent. Having a height of no more than 30 cm, she mercilessly and brazenly attacks animals and does not hesitate to feast on carrion.

The body shape is like a rhombus, laterally compressed. Usually the color is silver-gray. There are also herbivorous species of these fish that feed on vegetation, seeds and nuts.

Pictured is a piranha fish

Giant arapaima fish

According to scientists, the appearance of this ancient fish, a living fossil, has remained unchanged for millions of centuries. Some individuals, as local residents of the continent say, reach four meters in length and weigh 200 kg. True, ordinary specimens are more modest in size, but they are valuable commercial fish.

Giant arapaima fish

Electric eel

The most dangerous large fish, weighing up to 40 kg, found in the shallow rivers of the continent and having a fair share of human casualties.

Capable of emitting a high-power electrical charge, but feeds only on small fish. It has an elongated body and smooth, scaly skin. The color of the fish is orange or brown.

Electric eel fish

Agrias claudina butterfly

The most beautiful of tropical forests with a scope, rich colors, bright wings of 8 cm. The shape and combination of shades depends on the subspecies of the described insects, of which there are about ten. It is not easy to see the butterfly, as they are rare. It's even harder to catch such beauty.

Agrias claudina butterfly

Nymphalid butterfly

With wide, medium-sized wings, bright and variegated colors. Its lower part usually merges with environment against the background of dry leaves. These insects actively pollinate flowering plants. Their caterpillars feed on grass and leaves.

Nymphalid butterfly

South America... Plants and animals of this region have attracted special attention from time immemorial. It is here that a huge number of unique animals live, and the flora is represented by truly unusual plants. It is unlikely that in the modern world you can meet a person who would not agree to visit this continent at least once in his life.

General geographical description

In fact, the continent called South America is huge. Plants and animals here are also diverse, but all of them, according to experts, are largely determined by the geographical location and peculiarities of the formation of the earth's surface.

The continent is washed on both sides by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The main part of its territory is located in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet. The connection of the continent with North America occurred in the Pliocene era with the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

The Andes are a seismically active mountain system that stretches along the western border of the continent. To the east of the ridge flows the largest and covers almost the entire area of ​​South America.

Among other continents, this one ranks 4th in area and 5th in population. There are two versions of the appearance of people in this territory. Perhaps settlement occurred through the Bering Isthmus, or the first people came from the South Pacific Ocean.

Unusual features of the local climate

South America is the wettest continent on the planet with six climate zones. In the north is subequatorial belt, and in the south there are belts of subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate climate. The northwest coast and lowlands of the Amazon have high humidity and an equatorial climate.

Jaguarundi

This small feline predator resembles a weasel or a cat. Jaguarundi has a long body (about 60 cm) with short legs, a small round head with triangular ears. The height at the withers reaches 30 cm, weight - up to 9 kg.

Wool of a uniform color of gray, red or reddish-brown, not of commercial value. Found in forests, savannas or wetlands.

It feeds on insects, small animals and fruits. The jaguarundi lives and hunts alone, meeting with other individuals only for reproduction.

This is how it is, unusual, stunning, alluring and bewitching South America, whose plants and animals are especially popular not only among scientists who connect their lives with the study of the continent, but also among curious tourists seeking to discover something new.

Flora of South America

Much of South America is exceptionally rich in flora. This is due to both the modern natural conditions of the continent and the peculiarities of its development. The tropical flora of South America has developed since the end of the Mesozoic era. Its development has proceeded continuously until the present time, without being disrupted by glaciation or significant fluctuations in climatic conditions, as was the case on other continents.

On the other hand, the formation of the vegetation cover of South America, starting from the Tertiary period, occurred in almost complete isolation from other large land areas.

The main features of the flora of South America are connected with this: its antiquity, species richness and high degree of endemism.

The vegetation cover in South America has changed significantly less under human influence than on other continents of the globe.

The population density on the mainland is low, and vast areas in some parts of it are to this day almost completely uninhabited. Such areas have retained their natural soil and vegetation cover unchanged.

The vegetation of South America is a source of enormous natural resources - food, feed, technical, medicinal, etc.

d. But they are still used very little.

The flora of South America has given humanity a number of important cultivated plants. The first place among them is occupied by potatoes, the culture of which was known to the Indians long before the arrival of Europeans and is widespread in various areas South America and now.

Then from South America come the most common rubber plant, Hevea, chocolate tree, cinchona tree, grown in many tropical areas of the globe.

South America lies within two floristic regions. The main part of the continent is included within the Neotropical region. Its flora contains some elements common to Africa.

which indicates the existence of land connections between the continents until the Tertiary period.

The part of the continent south of the parallel 40° S. w. belongs to the Antarctic floristic region. Between the flora of this part of the continent and the flora of Antarctica.

Australia and New Zealand have similarities, which also indicate the existence of connections between these continents during geological history.

The general picture of soil and plant zones in the Neotropical region of South America is somewhat reminiscent of Africa.

But the ratio of individual types of vegetation and their species composition on these continents are different. If the main type of vegetation in Africa is savanna, then the vegetation cover of South America is especially characterized by tropical rainforests, which have no equal on Earth either in the richness of species or in the vastness of the territory they occupy.

Tropical rainforests on lateritic podzolized soils spread over a vast area in South America.

The population of Brazil calls them Selvas. The Selvas occupy a significant part of the Amazonian Lowland and adjacent areas of the Orinoco Lowland. slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. They are also characteristic of the Pacific coastline within Colombia and Ecuador. Thus, tropical rainforests cover areas with equatorial climate, but, in addition, they grow on the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands, facing the Atlantic Ocean in higher latitudes, where there is abundant trade wind rain throughout the year.

In the rich tropical forests of the Amazonian lowland you can find many valuable plants.

These forests are characterized great height and the complexity of the forest canopy. In non-flooded areas within the forest there are up to 12 tiers, and the height is the most tall trees reaches 80 and even 100 m.

More than a third of the plant species in these forests are endemic. Tropical rainforests rise along the mountain slopes to approximately 1000-1500 m, without undergoing significant changes.

Higher up they give way to depleted mountain tropical forests.

As climate changes, tropical rainforests are turning into red-soil savannas. In the Brazilian Highlands between savannas and wet forest There is a strip of almost pure palm forests. Savannas are distributed over a large part of the Brazilian Highlands, mainly in its interior regions. In addition, they occupy large areas in the Orinoco Lowland and the central regions of the Guiana Highlands.

In the south - in Brazil - typical savannas are known as campos.

Their vegetation consists of tall grasses. Woody vegetation is either completely absent or represented by individual specimens of mimosa, cacti and other xerophytic or succulent trees.

Campos of the Brazilian Highlands is a valuable but relatively underutilized grassland.

In the north, in Venezuela and Guiana, savannas are called llanos. There, along with tall and varied grass vegetation, there are isolated palm trees, giving the landscape a unique look.

In the Brazilian Highlands, in addition to the typical savanna, there are similar types of vegetation adapted to withstand a long dry period.

In the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, a significant area is occupied by the so-called caatinga, which is a sparse forest of drought-resistant trees and shrubs.

Many of them lose their leaves during the dry season, others are distinguished by swollen trunks in which moisture accumulates. Caatinga produces red-brown soils.

On the Gran Chaco plain, in particularly arid areas, thorny dry-loving shrubs and sparse forests grow on red-brown soils. They contain a number of endemic woody forms containing a large number of tannins.

On the Pacific coast, south of the tropical rainforests, you can also find a narrow strip of savanna vegetation, which then quite quickly turns into semi-desert and desert.

Large areas of mountain-tropical desert vegetation and soils are found in the interior highlands of the Andes.

Subtropical vegetation occupies relatively small areas in South America.

However, the diversity of vegetation types in subtropical latitudes is quite large.

The extreme southeast of the Brazilian Highlands, which receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, is covered with subtropical araucaria forests with an understory of various shrubs, including Paraguayan tea.

Paraguayan tea leaves are consumed by the local population to make a common hot drink that replaces tea. Based on the name of the round vessel in which this drink is made, it is often called “mate” or “yerba mate”.

The second type of subtropical vegetation of South America - the subtropical steppe or pampa - is characteristic of the eastern, most humid parts of the La Plata lowland south of 30° S. This is herbaceous grass vegetation on fertile reddish-black soils formed on volcanic rocks.

It consists of South American species of those genera of cereals that are widespread in Europe in the temperate steppes. There are species of feather grass, bearded grass, and fescue. Unlike the temperate steppes, the vegetation in the pampa grows throughout the year. The pampa is connected with the forests of the Brazilian Highlands by a transitional type of vegetation, where grasses are combined with thickets of evergreen shrubs.

To the west and south of the pampa, as precipitation decreases, vegetation of dry subtropical steppes and semi-deserts appears on gray-brown soils, gray soils and saline soils.

Subtropical vegetation and soils of the Pacific coast, according to the peculiarities of climatic conditions, resemble in appearance the vegetation and soils of the European Mediterranean.

Thickets of evergreen shrubs on brown soils predominate.

The vegetation of the temperate latitudes of South America is very peculiar.

There are two main types of vegetation cover, which differ sharply from each other, corresponding to differences in the climate of the eastern and western parts of the southern tip of the continent. The extreme southeast (Patagonia) is characterized by vegetation of dry steppes and semi-deserts of the temperate zone. This is actually a continuation of the semi-deserts of the western part of the pampa in a harsher and colder climate.

The soils are dominated by chestnut and gray soils; saline soils are widespread. The vegetation cover is dominated by grasses (for example, silvery Argentine bluegrass) and various xerophytic shrubs, such as cacti, mimosas, etc.

The extreme southwest of the continent, with its oceanic climate, slight annual temperature differences and high annual precipitation, has a peculiar vegetation, very ancient and rich in composition.

These are moisture-loving evergreen subantarctic forests, multi-tiered and very diverse in composition. In terms of richness of species and height, they are not inferior to tropical forests. They abound in lianas, mosses, and lichens. Along with various high-trunk coniferous trees Evergreen deciduous species are common, such as southern beeches (Nothofagus).

These moisture-soaked forests are difficult to clear and uproot. They are still preserved over large areas in an intact form and, almost without changing their composition, rise along the mountain slopes to a height of 2000 m. In these forests in the south, podzolic soils predominate, turning into forest brown soils in more northern areas.

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Regarding the situation in South America, especially at lower latitudes, different types of lateritic soil predominate. Hot forest areas with constant and heavy rainfall characterized by ascitic lateritic soils, which are difficult to separate from the very strong weathering of the earth's crust.

In areas with seasonal moisture, red, brown, red and red-brown soils are found.

Ancient ironbark has a significant distribution. Latitarization processes are still evident in the humid subtropical regions of the east of the continent, where they are characterized by fine aromas and reddish black prairie soils.

In addition, in the West, as well as in North America, they are successively replaced by gray-brown soil and gray soils, as well as western brown soils.

What plants grow in South America

The soils of the temperate temperate regions are brown forest soils in the west, chestnut and brown desert steppes in the east. The Andes have a distinct altitude with mountainous zonal soil types.
-Brown.
The specificity of the soil of South America, which is the most important process of tropical soil formation and weathering, is due to its location mainly in equatorial, tropical and subtropical latitudes.

The source contains areas where the continent's main soil types are separated: equatorial rainforests; alternately wet and tall savannah grass; xerophytic forests and shrubs on deciduous trees; Desert soil of tropical and subtropical groups; mountain floors with moderate half-life

South America is the 4th largest continent on our planet. If you look closely at the map, the continent resembles a drop of water. The continent is located in the southern hemisphere of the Earth.

Natural areas

There are 5 climatic zones on the continent:

• equatorial;
• subequatorial;
• tropical;
• subtropical;
• moderate.

Relief

The relief of the mainland is conditional can be divided into 2 zones It is a flat plain in the eastern part and a mountain range in the west.

The Andes Mountains are a continuation of the North American mountain range - the Cordillera. This is the longest mountain range on our planet.

Plant community

The flora of the mainland is diverse.

This is facilitated by a mild, warm climate and large amounts of precipitation. The flora on the continent varies depending on the climate zone.

So The tropical zone is dominated by jungle. And currently, scientists are discovering more and more new species of plants and representatives of the animal world of tropical forests.

The jungles of South America cover a larger area than similar areas in Africa.

The tropical forest contains rubber trees, melon and chocolate trees, different kinds palm trees, hevea, orchids.

In some areas The height of the forest cover reaches 100 meters. It could be a 12-tier community with unique flora and fauna associated with each floor.

To the south of the Amazon jungle, sparse deciduous forests begin. Typical representative The flora of this part of the continent is the quebracho tree with strong and durable wood.

Moving south across the continent, travelers will cross savannahs and reach the famous South American plains - pampas. This is a classic steppe zone with feather grass, wild millet and forbs.

Occasionally there are thickets of mimosa and milkweed. The soils in this part of the continent are very fertile

The closer to the south extreme point continent, the more sparse the landscape becomes. The pampas give way to a zone of semi-deserts and deserts. Here you can find dry bushes that form peculiar perecatipole cushions.

Fauna of South America

The fauna on the mainland also depends on the climate zone.

In the tropical forests Various species of monkeys, porcupines, and sloths live here.

Many species are adapted exclusively to life in trees. The lower tier of the forest is favored by tapirs and anteaters. Among the predators is the famous jaguar. Entomologists are still discovering new species of insects.

The forests are home to a large number of unique bird species - toucans and macaws.

Nature, plants and animals of South America

There are about 320 species of baby hummingbirds in South America alone.

In the savannah zone There are fewer animals, and they are adapted to life in open spaces. These are wild baker pigs, armadillos. Of the large birds, rhea ostriches feel great. Large cats - pumas and jaguars - also live in savannas. Of the small predators in the savannas, the savanna fox and the maned wolf live.

Pampas is a habitat for fleet-footed representatives of the animal world.

These are llamas, deer and predators such as the pampas cat and several types of armadillos.

In the Andes mountains Basically, the same species of animals live as on the flat part of the mainland. But there are endemics - animals unique to South America.

These are mountain llamas, spectacled bears, and charming chinchillas.

Detailed information about the diversity of nature on the South American continent can be found in the reports of various scientific societies.

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RARE PLANTS OF THE WORLD. Central and South America

In Fig. on the left - Alstroemeria pelegrinica(Alstroemeria pelegrina L.), Alstroemeriaceae family - a plant with very beautiful flowers. Quite common in Brazil. Due to the collection of flowers and the improvement of beaches, many of its habitats were destroyed, leaving only a few scattered locations. Balsa or hare tree(Ochroma lagopus Sw.), Baobab family (Bombaceae) is a tall, over 30 m tree with bluish-gray bark and large palmate leaves. The fruits crack when ripe and then resemble hare's feet, since they are covered with white fluff inside. The name "balsa" translated from Spanish means raft: its wood has long been used for the construction of rafts. Balsa wood is one of the lightest in the world, very loose and soft, but when dried, it acquires the hardness of oak. Currently, balsa has almost completely disappeared from the forests of America, surviving in small quantities only in the damp rain forests of Ecuador.

1 - Araucaria Chilean(Araucaria araucana (Molino) C. Koch), Family Araucariaceae - a very large dioecious tree up to 60 m high and up to 1.5 m in diameter. The leaves are hard, spiny, dark green, spirally arranged, and remain on the tree for up to 40 years. The cones are brown, spherical, weighing up to 1.6 kg. It has a disjunctive range of two sections. The smaller one is located on the western slope of the Coastal Cordillera at an altitude of about 700 m above sea level. sea, and the largest one is in the Andes, at an altitude of 1600-1800 m. It forms forests, especially on volcanic soils. The seeds are edible and the beautiful wood is used in construction. Listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention. In Cuba, almost all cacti (Cactaceae family) have a local distribution and many are endangered, e.g. 2 - melocactus Matanzana(Melocactus matanzanus Leόn) and 3 - melocactus Guitarta(Melocactus guitartii Leόn). Listed in the IUCN Red List Cereus Robina, or tree cactus(Cereus robin i (Lemaire) L. Benson) – shrub or small tree 5-8 m high, bluish-green. The flowers are bell-shaped, brownish-green or brownish-purple. Grows in Cuba and Florida. In Cuba, almost all habitats have been destroyed. 4 - Micrantocereus golden yellow(Micranthocereus auri-azureus), Cactaceae family, is a rare cactus native to central Bahia (Brazil). Bahia (its central part) is very rich in melocacti, but they all need protection. It grows only in the central part of Bahia melocactus baienensis(Melocactus bahiensis (Br. et R.) Luetzelb.). It is endangered, as in the places where it grows, local residents burn out grass and low bushes to improve pastures. Perhaps they have already disappeared melocactus covered with plaque(Melocactus pruinosus Werderm.) and melocactus amethyst(Melocactus amethystinus Buining et Brederoo).

1 - Mahogany wood, or switenia, or mahogany, or real mahogany(Swietenia mahagoni Jasq.), Meliaceae family - evergreen tree up to 15 m high. Plants of South America Valued for its wood with narrow off-white sapwood and red-brown heartwood, very beautiful texture. For a long time, the plantings were exploited, since the wood of this tree was widely used for interior decoration of ships, artistic carpentry, etc. Mahogany was quite widespread in the forests of South and Central America. Currently, some reserves of this species remain in the inaccessible part of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. Due to increased exploitation, reserves and other reserves have decreased significantly valuable wood – large leaf mahogany(Swietenia macrophylla King.). 2 - Caesalpinia spinosa(Caesalpinia echinata Lam.), Family Caesalpiniaceae - a tree with red valuable wood and double-pinnate leaves, almost regular flowers. Area: Brazil, due to valuable wood almost completely cut down. 3 – Cocaine bush(Erythroxylon coca Lam.), Family Erythroxylaceae, is a densely leafy shrub with alternate oblong leaves and small white flowers in the leaf axils (cocaine is obtained from the leaves). Its natural habitat lay in Peru, Bolivia and on the eastern slopes of the Andes; now this plant is not found in the wild, but is widely cultivated on the islands of Java and Sri Lanka. The family contains 4 genera and about 200 species, distributed mainly in tropical America.

4 in Fig. top - Miroxilon Pereira(Myroxylon pereira Klotsch.), Legume family (Fabaceae) is a tropical evergreen tree with odd-pinnate leaves and whitish flowers.

It has a very limited range in El Salvador (the plant is destroyed to obtain Peruvian balsam). Cultivated on the islands of Java and Sri Lanka.

1 in Fig. below - Brassavola Perrini(Brassavola perrinii Ldl.), Orchid family (Orchidaceae) is a terrestrial orchid with a tuber 15-18 cm long, ending in one narrow leaf. Inflorescence of 3-6 flowers, yellow tepals, white lip.

Grows in Brazil. The genus contains about 15 species, distributed in tropical America from Mexico and the Antilles to southern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.

The genus Anguloa comprises terrestrial orchid plants (Family Orchidaceae), which sometimes grow on bare rocks. Tubers with 2-4 leaves, solitary flowers. They grow in the Andes from Venezuela, Colombia to Peru. One of the decorative Colombian orchids 2 - Anguloa Klovesa(Anguloa clowesii Ldl.), with a tuber 8-14 cm long, 2-4 broadly elliptical leaves up to 50 cm long. The flowers are lemon-yellow with a strong, pleasant aroma. It is also found there 3 - Rucker's anguloa(Anguloa ruckeri Ldl.), - with flowers olive-green on the outside and yellow on the inside, with reddish-brown spots, the lip is dark red-brown. The Cattleya genus (Orchid Family, Orchidaceae) is one of the most popular and well-known in gardening practice. All wild cattleyas (and there are about 40 species) are distributed in tropical America, from Mexico to Brazil. They have cylindrical, spindle-shaped, flattened stems with 1-2 or more leathery leaves. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme with few flowers, sometimes a single flower. In Venezuela it grows on rocks at an altitude of 1000-1300 m. Cattleya Percival(Cattleya persivaliana Rchb. f.), endangered. Endangered in Honduras and Venezuela cattleya bowringa(Cattleya bowringiana Veitch.) with a multi-flowered raceme of small purple flowers. 4 - Cattleya Aclanda(Cattleya aclandiae Lindl.) is a rare endemic to Brazil. It is a small plant with relatively large olive green flowers with a magenta red open lip.

The emblem of Costa Rica is 2 in Fig. on the left is Cattleya Skinneri Bat. In Annex I of the Convention on International Trade rare species flora and fauna included 4 in Fig. on the left is Cattleya trianae Rchb. with beautiful pink flowers with a dark crimson lip. Grows in Colombia. 1 - Lelia Dayana(Laelia dayana Rchb. f.), Orchid family (Orchidaceae) is a beautiful small plant with flowers less than 12 cm, their lip is vertical with purple lines. It grows only in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). In eastern Brazil, in a narrow strip of coastal forest, epiphytic 3 - purple lelia(Laelia purpurata Lindl. et Paxt.). This orchid is close to death both due to the destruction of many locations and due to predatory collection. Rare Brazilian lilies include Lelia Sinkoranskaya(Laelia sincorana Schltr.), 1 in Fig. at the bottom, with round, strong false bulbs and velvety white flowers.

Ubeautiful masdevallia(M. bella Rchb.) Orchid family (Orchidaceae) - one yellow flower covered with brown spots, with very long tails, the lip is white and looks like a fly. This epiphytic orchid grows in Colombia at an altitude of 1800-2000 m. Even higher (2300-3000 m) another species grows on the rocks - 2 - bright red masdevallia(Masdevallia coccinea Lindl.) with large violet-red flowers, the lip is light pink with a white tip. Representatives of this genus are found in Central and South America, in the Andes, where the climate is colder. 3 – Butterfly Orchid(Oncidium papilio Ldl.) grows in Venezuela and Trinidad and is very similar to the previous species. Due to commercial harvests, it is endangered. In Guatemala and Mexico, the bird's beak oncidium (Oncidium ornithorhynchum H.B. Kth.) is found with ovoid bifoliate tubers. The flowers are lilac-purple with wavy petals. 4 – Masdevallia chimera(Masdevallia chimaera Rchb.), has brownish-red flowers with lighter spots, their lip is shoe-shaped, light brown. Grows in Colombia, at an altitude of 1700-2000 m above sea level. seas on rocks and trees.

Found in Guatemala and Mexico 1 - oncidium "bird's beak"(Oncidium ornithorhynchum H.B. Kth.), Orchid family (Orchidaceae) with ovoid bifoliate tubers. The flowers are lilac-purple with wavy petals. Found in the mountains of Brazil 3 - oncidium swollen(Oncidium varicosum Ldl.). This genus contains about 530 species and has a range in tropical America - from Mexico to Brazil and Paraguay and the Bahamas and Antilles. In Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia at an altitude of 300-900 m above sea level. the sea is growing 4 - Cramer's oncidium, or Cramer's orchid(Oncidium krameranum Rchb. f.). It settles on old trees and woody vines. A single elliptical leaf emerges from the bulb, covered with a blackish-purple marbled pattern. The flowers are very reminiscent of a butterfly - orange-golden with brown spots. The lip is canary-gold with a brown spot. Male butterflies mistake the flower for another male and, defending their territory, attack the flower, pollinating it. This orchid is one of the most elegant and decorative species of the genus. 2 - Vanilla fragrant(Vanilla fragrans (Salisb.) Ames), Orchid family (Orchidaceae) - grows in tropical America from Mexico to South America, on the Antilles. Widely cultivated. Other types of vanilla have the same properties - fragrant vanilla(V. odorata Presl.) from Ecuador and vanilla pompom(V. pompona Schiede) with a habitat in southeastern Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia (at an altitude of 800-1500 m above sea level), Trinidad, Guiana. Pompom vanilla serves as a surrogate for real vanilla (it has a scent with a hint of heliotrope).

2 – Ipecuana(Caphaеlis ipecacuanha Willd.), Rubiaceae family, is a small plant with long thin rhizomes, a thin stem 30-40 cm high with several pairs of opposite evergreen broadly lanceolate leaves and a small head of small white flowers. It grows over a vast area in the upper reaches of the right tributaries of the Amazon (Brazil). Due to the mass harvesting of roots as medicinal raw materials, the number of the species is declining. Ipecuana is difficult to cultivate, although plantations have been established in India, Indonesia and Tanzania. 3 - Quillaya soap, or soap tree(Quillaja saponaria Molina), Rosaceae family, is a tree with evergreen leaves, the bark of which contains saponin. Grows in the subtropical forests of the coastal Cordillera. Due to exploitation, its numbers have sharply decreased. Populations have declined sharply wax palm from the genus Ceroxylon (Palm family, Palmaceae), growing in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru and Bolivia at high altitudes, where forests are replaced over large areas by coffee plantations. Threatened species include: 4 - Andean wax palm(Ceroxylon andicola Humb. Et Bonpl.) and the Colombian national tree Ceroxylon quinquiense (Karst.) H. Wendl. Endangered in Argentina acrocomia of the shunt(Acrocomia chunta Covas et Ragon.), whose numbers have declined as a result of exploitation. Another Argentine palm with a small range is 1 - euterpe edible(Euterpe edulis Mart.) – its apical buds are edible.

Many of the American palms are rare. There are two species included in the IUCN Red List - Ekman pseudodate(Pseudophoenix ekmanii Burret) and calyptronoma river(Calyptronoma rivalis (O.F.

Cook) L.H. Bailey). Pseudodate is a palm tree 4-5 m high with a single stem. The base of the stem is about 20 cm in diameter, and above the stem expands, forming a swelling up to 80 cm in diameter, which narrows to 15 cm near the crown.

The stem is very succulent, the leaves are up to 1.5 m long, the inflorescences are drooping, with numerous branches. Found in Dominican Republic, in the extreme south, on dry Quaternary limestones. It is believed to be the wine palm described by the first explorers of the island.

Good light wine was prepared from its juice, and the extraction of juice led to the extinction of this species. Calyptronoma is a medium-sized tree with a trunk up to 10 m, on which leaf scars are clearly visible. Crown of 15-20 feathery leaves. It grows on the island of Puerto Rico, east of San Sebastian. It grows along rivers in humid forests on limestone, at an altitude of 300 m. In 1970, no more than 20 palm trees of this species were recorded.

This species used to be more widespread, but disappeared due to fires and logging.

In Fig. on the left - Cinchona succirubra Pav., Rubiaceae family - an evergreen tree with opposite leathery shiny broadly elliptical leaves and light crimson flowers collected in panicles at the tops of stems and branches. The range is very limited, found in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, at an altitude of 1600-3200 m, in humid forests. Trees were rapaciously cut down to obtain quinine (an anti-malaria drug). Currently widely introduced into culture in South-East Asia and Africa. Guatemalan fir(Abies guatemalensis Rehder), Pine family (Pinaceae) - tree up to 45 m high. As a result of intensive logging and destruction of undergrowth by livestock, it has become very rare in Guatemala. Mexican Weymouth pine(Pinus aycahuite Ehrenb.), Pine family (Pinaceae) - a tree up to 30-45 m high with a conical crown, gray bark and very long needles, up to 30 cm. Its habitat lies in the mountains of Southern Mexico and Guatemala. It is intensively cut down for its valuable wood, the bark is peeled off to obtain tannins, which has greatly undermined the reserves of the species.

Published based on the book: Belousova L.S., Denisova L.V.

Rare plants of the world. M.: Forest industry, 1983. 344 p.