neotropical
Central American bioregion
Neotropical describes the biogeographic region comprising Central and South America, the Caribbean, and southern Mexico—one of Earth's major ecological zones.
The region is characterized by extraordinary biodiversity, including rainforests, unique wildlife, and endemic species: neotropical birds, neotropical rainforest ecosystems.
The term appears in scientific and conservation contexts: The neotropical realm contains more species than any other. (Capitalized Neotropical is the standard form in technical writing.)
Large American spotted cat
- toucanLarge-billed tropical bird
- macawLarge neotropical parrot
- howler monkeyVocal New World primate
- capybaraWorld's largest rodent species
tapir · sloth · anteater · armadillo · piranha · caiman · quetzal · manakin
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- cloud forestMist-immersed mountain ecosystem
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
- emergent layerTopmost rainforest zone
dry forest · mangroves · wetlands · endemic
Greek warrior women
- AndesSouth American western range
- PatagoniaSouth America's southern tip
- GalápagosEcuadorian Pacific archipelago
- OrinocoVenezuelan river to Atlantic
Mesoamerica · Caribbean · Atacama · montane · lowland · isthmus · Amazonia
At risk of extinction
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
- wildlife corridorStrip connecting fragmented habitats
ecotourism · sanctuary · protected area · endemic species · threatened · poaching · CITES · rewilding
Of Earth's central line
- humidContaining much moisture
- wet seasonProlonged rainy period
- dry seasonMonths with minimal rainfall
- El NiñoPeriodic Pacific warming event
La Niña · monsoon · precipitation · convection · trade winds · microclimate
Tropical plants, often epiphytic
- orchidsTropical flowering plants
- epiphytesPlants growing on others
- lianasWoody climbing plants
- palmsHands' inner sides
mahogany · kapok · rubber tree · passionflower · cacao · strangler fig · philodendron · balsa
jaguar
Large American spotted cat
- toucanLarge-billed tropical bird
- macawLarge neotropical parrot
- howler monkeyVocal New World primate
capybara · tapir · sloth · anteater · armadillo · piranha · caiman · quetzal · manakin · tamarin
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- cloud forestMist-immersed mountain ecosystem
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
emergent layer · dry forest · mangroves · wetlands · endemic
Amazon
Greek warrior women
- AndesSouth American western range
- PatagoniaSouth America's southern tip
- GalápagosEcuadorian Pacific archipelago
Orinoco · Mesoamerica · Caribbean · Atacama · montane · lowland · isthmus · Amazonia
endangered
At risk of extinction
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
wildlife corridor · ecotourism · sanctuary · protected area · endemic species · threatened · poaching · CITES · rewilding · buffer zone
equatorial
Of Earth's central line
- humidContaining much moisture
- wet seasonProlonged rainy period
- dry seasonMonths with minimal rainfall
El Niño · La Niña · monsoon · precipitation · convection · trade winds · microclimate
bromeliads
Tropical plants, often epiphytic
palms · mahogany · kapok · rubber tree · passionflower · cacao · strangler fig · philodendron · balsa · calabash
- neotropical faunaSpecies newly in tropics