Source: The Canberra Times
A shared geological history underlines parallels between biodiversity in the Amazon and Australia, the University of Canberra's Professor Arthur Georges says.In presenting a pictorial seminar of his field work last night at the Gallery of Australian Design, Professor Georges noted that Australia and South America once shared a physical connection.
He said many millions of years ago when the continents broke apart, Australia and South America remained linked by Antarctica.
''There was no ice in those times and it was a much hotter planet,'' he said. ''There was rainforest through Antarctica and that connection there, through our biota is the reason why the two faunas are so similar.
''We've got turtles in Australia that are only found elsewhere in South America with one fossil in Antarctica. You've got a fossil platypus in South America and we've got the platypus here. You've got the rhea in South America and we've got the emu here.''
The seminar, jointly delivered with University of Canberra PhD student Carla Eisemberg, reflected on the pair's 11 days exploring a segment of the 1500ha Tiputini reserve in Equador. Professor Georges noted the rich diversity they encountered.