This March 10 marks 488 years since the discovery of the Galapagos Islands, the most biodiverse archipelago in the world.
Reference image of the Galapagos Islands, May 18, 2022.
On March 10, 1535, Fray Tomás de Berlanga discovered the Galapagos Islands, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.
Located 1,000 kilometers from the mainland coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are made up of seven main islands. These are Isabela, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Santiago, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Marchena.
It also has 14 smaller islands, 64 islets and 136 rocks, all of volcanic origin.
In the Archipelago, according to the Ministry of the Environment, there are 560 native plants, more than 180 are endemic.
Regarding the fauna, there are 17 species of mammals, 152 birds, 22 reptiles and about 2,000 invertebrates.
But an example of its diversity are five unique species, which PRIMICIAS details about the 488 years of discovery of the islands:
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Galapagos Tortoise
Galapagos giant tortoises can weigh more than 300 pounds and often live for more than 100 years.
Their longevity has amazed scientists for years, and in 2021 a University at Buffalo study found that these animals evolved to have extra copies of genes.
These copies protect them against the ravages of aging, including diseases such as cancer.
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Land and marine iguanas
Almost prehistoric in appearance, the Galapagos has the only iguanas in the world capable of walking on land and submerging up to 40 minutes underwater in search of food.
These reptiles can be seen resting on the rocks of Isabela or Fernandina Island.
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Frigates
Frigates can be seen flying over most of the islands.
The neutral coloring of the black males is offset by the huge bright red gular sac.
This bag, located in the frigate’s throat, inflates during reproduction.
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Darwin’s finch
There are 17 species of Darwin’s finch inhabiting the Galapagos Islands, each with a unique beak shape for feeding.
This bird was key for the scientist Charles Darwin to develop his theory on the evolution of species on the islands.
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Boobies
Boobies can be found on three islands: Española, North Seymour, and Punta Pitt.
These birds wave their deep blue feet for their mate to see. Because they nest on the ground, their entire life cycle, from mating to breeding and raising their young, is in full view of tourists.
