1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910788935803321

Autore

Heads Michael J.

Titolo

Biogeography of Australasia : a molecular analysis / / Michael Heads, Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, NY, USA [[electronic resource]]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cambridge : , : Cambridge University Press, , 2014

ISBN

1-107-46173-1

1-139-89322-X

1-107-45956-7

1-107-47240-7

1-139-64446-7

1-107-46528-1

1-107-46881-7

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xi, 493 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Disciplina

577.2/2099

Soggetti

Biogeography - Australasia

Biology - Australasia - Classification - Molecular aspects

Species - Australasia

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

The spatial component of evolution -- Evolution in time -- Global affinities of Australasian groups -- Biogeography of Australia -- The Tasman-Coral Sea region : a centre of high biodiversity -- Distribution in and around the Tasman region -- Biogeography of New Zealand -- Biogeography of New Caledonia -- Biogeography of New Guinea and neighbouring islands -- Biogeography of the Philippines -- Conclusions.

Sommario/riassunto

Over the last decade, molecular studies carried out on the Australasian biota have revealed a new world of organic structure that exists from submicroscopic to continental scale. Furthermore, in studies of global biogeography and evolution, DNA sequencing has shown that many large groups, such as flowering plants, passerine birds and squamates, have their basal components in this area. Using examples ranging from kangaroos and platypuses to kiwis and birds of paradise, the book



examines the patterns of distribution and evolution of Australasian biodiversity and explains them with reference to tectonic and climatic change in the region. The surprising results from molecular biogeography demonstrate that an understanding of evolution in Australasia is essential for understanding the development of modern life on Earth. A milestone in the literature on this subject, this book will be a valuable source of reference for students and researchers in biogeography, biodiversity, ecology and conservation.