Biogeography Flashcards
What was the significance of Captain Cook?
In 1766, he took a series of voyages of a ship around the world three times. He is the first European to visit the east coast.
Who was Joseph banks?
A naturalist who made observations of the flora and fauna.
What is strange about kangaroos?
Australia seems to make the ideal habitat for mammals such as deer, horses and camels but the kangaroo is present instead.
What are the monotremes present in Australia?
The platypus and echidna.
What was the dominant idea in Cook’s day?
Creationism.
When did Darwin set out on his voyage?
1831.
What does the Galapagos islands consist of?
21 volcanic islands and islets spread out along the equator.
What are the dominant land animals in the Galapagos?
Herbivorous turtles and iguanas.
What controls the range of species?
Geography, not habitat type.
What are the two dispersal mechanisms?
Land bridges and oceanic dispersal.
What is evidence for similar species on different land masses?
There may have been land bridges that allowed past connections.
What is the Bering land bridge?
A land bridge that separated Russia and Alaska.
How can flight be involved in the dispersal of organisms?
Birds can get blown out to sea by storms and carry seeds with them and disperse plants.
How may some species spread through water?
They can be adapted to float long distances over water, such as the coconut.
How can icebergs be involved in dispersal?
They can trap rocks and soil and transport boulders long distances, as well as seeds.
