Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The fauna and flora of Australia are very different from those of the rest of the world. Why might this be true?
A
They have become different by convergent evolution.
B
The climate of Australia is unlike that of any other place in the world.
C
Australia was never in close proximity to the other continents.
D
Life in Australia was wiped out by ancient volcanic eruptions.
E
Australia has been isolated for about 50 million years.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the concept of biogeography, which studies the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
Consider the role of continental drift and plate tectonics in shaping the distribution of species. Australia has been isolated from other continents due to tectonic movements.
Recognize that isolation leads to unique evolutionary paths. When a landmass is isolated, the species there evolve independently, leading to distinct flora and fauna.
Examine the concept of adaptive radiation, where species diversify rapidly to fill various ecological niches. Australia's isolation allowed its species to adapt uniquely to its environment.
Reflect on the time scale of isolation. Australia's separation for about 50 million years provided ample time for its species to evolve differently from those on other continents.