Question
Studying fossils through time (i.e. in different geological layers), reveals that certain taxa were not represented on all continents throughout time, though some are. Also today some taxa are absent on some continents (no elephants on the american continent, for example). Which factors have affected biogeography?
A Biogeography, i.e. the distribution of taxa on planet earth can be entirely explained by temperature patterns. That is why global warming is predicted to help many animals spread further than today.
B Meteorites wiped out some taxa on some continents but not on others.
C Continents moving and thus joining or separating have created or interrupted land bridges for animals to use for migrations. Also sealevel rise and glaciers affected distribution.
This question is taken from Bio 322 – Evolutionary Biology » Spring 2022 » Quiz 1 Intro, Tree of Life, History of Life
