Answer :
Final answer:
Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem are referred to as native species; however, those restricted to a specific geographical area are called endemic species, like the koala in Australia. In biogeography, endemic species are studied due to their unique presence in certain locations, unlike generalist species that inhabit broad areas.
Explanation:
Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem are known as native species. However, when considering species that are not just native but also restricted to a specific geographical area, they are referred to as endemic species.
For instance, the koala, a marsupial found only in Australia, is an endemic species. It is essential not to confuse endemic species with keystone species or indicator species, as these have different ecological roles.
A keystone species, like the intertidal sea star Pisaster ochraceus, plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, while indicator species can provide insights into the health of an ecosystem.
Ecologists who study biogeography focus on patterns of species distribution, recognizing that no species can inhabit every location. For example, the Venus flytrap is endemic to a small region in North and South Carolina.
In contrast, generalist species, such as the raccoon, are found in a broad range of geographical locations, like most of North and Central America.
