What is an endemic species?

An endemic species is characterized by its exclusive occurrence in a specific geographic location and cannot be found naturally anywhere else. This distinctiveness often arises due to evolutionary processes that have allowed the species to adapt to unique environmental conditions of that location. As a result, endemic species can be particularly vulnerable to changes such as habitat destruction or climate change, as they do not have populations in other areas to support their survival.

The other options highlight different concepts. Extinct species no longer exist anywhere, while species found in multiple locations are more widely distributed and not confined to a single area. Species that migrate annually do not qualify as endemic since they inhabit various locations at different times, which contrasts with the defining characteristic of being limited to one specific location.