Many recent publications have highlighted taxonomic groups of invertebrates with naturally small distributions (less than 10,000 km2). These animals are variously described as narrow range endemics or Short Range Endemics (SREs) and are in part characterised by poor dispersal capabilities, confinement to disjunct habitats and low fecundity.
Examples of groups that show high levels of short-range endemism include millipedes, mygalomorph spiders, and freshwater and terrestrial snails.
Given the importance of short-range endemism to the conservation of biodiversity, the assessment of such invertebrate taxa is a potentially important component of impact assessment.
