Key Figures on Animal Genetic Resources
Only a few animal species have been domesticated by man. Within the species a wide range of breeds developped, some of which, however, are already extinct or endangered.
- Key Figures on Animal Genetic Resources, © BLE
The total number of animal species on earth is unknown. Estimates vary from 3 to 13 million species. Among these, about 1.4 million animal species are recorded worldwide, the largest part - nearly 1 million - being made up by insects. The group of vertebrates, which incorporates all domesticated farm animals, comprises about 52,000 species worldwide. According to the FAO, only 30 of them (16 mammal and 14 bird species) are domesticated. In Germany, circa 48,000 animal species have been registered, including over 33,000 insects, 3,300 protozoa and 703 vertebrate species. Only 11 farm animal species form the basis of animal production and are subject to animal breeding in Germany.