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The marine area supports a significant polulation of the Mediterranean Monk seal Monachus monachus that breeds in numerous sea caves along the coast of the two islands. Posidonia beds are abundant in the littoral zone. Due to the volcanic origin of the islands, some unique geological formations are present. Natural habitats, especially on Polyaigos, are in very good conservation status and are suitable for a significant number of rare and endemic plant and animal species (listed in sections 3.2 and 3.3). Many of these species are common in the island complex of Milos-Kimolos-Polyaigos-Antimilos and since human development is still very limited in the site, nature conservation can be maintened. Several important plant species (section 3.3) like Centaurea spinosa, Crepis multiflora, Gagea graeca, Hymenonema graecum, Paronychia macrosepala and Aegilops comosa are Greek endemic species but they also extend to W and/or NW Turkey. Allium staticiforme and Anthemis rigida have a similar distribution (the latter also occurs in Cyprus) and are species of the coastal zone which are not currently threatened but their communities on sand and shingle are considered vulnerable due to loss of habitat. Brassica cretica is a species with local populations, usualy coastal, whose main distribution area is Greece just extending to W Turkey and with a distinct appearance in Lebanon (probably introduced) and Mt Carmel (Israel). Cynara cornigera is an east-mediterranean species, with an interesting distribution in the Aegean. Apart from Greece it is also found in Cyprus. Ruscus aculeatus is included in Annex V of the Directive 92/43/EEC. Satureja nervosa is included in the IUCN-WCMC List of threatened species (1997) with the characterisation "Rare". It should be noted that the endemic status of Dianthus diffusus and Crepis hellenica is questionable. The reptiles of the site (3.2d & 3.3) are included in Annex II or IV of the directive 92/43 and are protected by the GreeK Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) and by the Bern Convention. With the current knowledge, the endemic species Macrovipera shweizeri and Podarcis milensis are the only endemic vertebrate species, apart from fish, in the Aegean. Concerning the ornithofauna, many important bird species have been recorded (listed in section 3.2a and 3.2b.) that are protected by various Greek and European Laws and Conventions. The cliffs around the coast are important for seabirds as well as for the falcon Falco eleonorae. |