Circumtropical Organism

an animal or plant species whose distribution girdles the tropical zone; distribution is interrupted by vast areas of ocean and land in the case of terrestrial and marine organisms, respectively. There are only a few circumtropical species among terrestrial organisms (for example, some galingales). Many large groups of animals and plants (for example, monkeys, crocodiles, and palms) are found in the tropical zone of all continents, but each continent is represented, however, by its own species of a particular group. Circumtropical organisms include oceanic birds (for example, the Pacific frigate bird), sea turtles, sea snakes, and other marine animals. There are few bottom-dwelling forms of circumtropical animals but many pelagic forms (for example, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, swordfish, some species of sharks, flying fishes, squids, and planktonic invertebrates).