1. In biology:
* Native to and found only in a specific geographic area. This means a species or disease is naturally found in that particular region and not elsewhere.
* Example: The Galapagos penguin is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
2. In medicine and epidemiology:
* Relating to a disease or condition that is constantly present in a particular population or region. This implies that the disease occurs at a relatively stable rate and does not disappear completely.
* Example: Malaria is endemic to many tropical regions.
Key differences:
* In the biological sense, endemic refers to the natural occurrence of a species in a specific location.
* In the medical sense, endemic refers to the regular presence of a disease in a population.
Both definitions emphasize the restricted or localized nature of the phenomenon, whether it be a species, a disease, or another characteristic.