Where Did They Come From? The Origins of South American Fauna offers a fascinating journey into the origins of South American flora and fauna. Exploring life on the continent before and after the breakup of Gondwana, it delves into how creatures arrived in South America, be it through drifting across oceans or traversing land bridges. From birds and reptiles to mammals and fish, this book provides a comprehensive compendium of biological diversity, discussing their origins and evolutionary paths. Readers will gain insights into the mechanisms of animal dispersal, evolution, and the impact of the Great Biotic Interchange. The book also lists references for further exploration of the subject.
Recent Arrivals - the Great Biotic Interchange: Explores the significant interchange of various species that occurred later.
Ideal for students, biologists, and anyone curious about the natural world, this book is a captivating read that uncovers the incredible history of South American fauna and its evolutionary tapestry.
The book is structured into five parts:
- Building South America: Covers tectonic movements, climate changes, and breaching isolation.
- Shaping South America: Explores the landforms and diverse biomes across the continent.
- Vertebrates within South America: Discusses unique amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds that evolved on the continent.
- Vertebrates immigrating to South America: Examines exotic reptiles, birds, and mammals that found their way to the continent. The author also lists the families of almost all genera of South American animals, while giving knowledge of their origins.
Recent Arrivals - the Great Biotic Interchange: Explores the significant interchange of various species that occurred later.
Ideal for students, biologists, and anyone curious about the natural world, this book is a captivating read that uncovers the incredible history of South American fauna and its evolutionary tapestry.
Table of Contents
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Part 1 Building South America
- Introduction
- References
- Introduction
- South America Splits from Africa
- Isthmus of Panama Connects the Continents Continents
- Continents
- The Caribbean
- South America-Antarctica-Australia
- References
- After Gondwana’S Breakup
- Antarctica Freezes
- Zealandia Sinks
- Ice Ages
- Notes
- References
- Crossing the Atlantic Ocean
- Crossing the Caribbean
- Crossing the Southern Ocean
- References
- Introduction
- Rafting
- Island-Hopping
- Flying
- Swimming
- References
- Introduction
- Félix De Azara
- Alexander Von Humboldt
- Juan Ignazio Molína
- Spix and Martius
- Alcide D’Orbigny
- Charles Darwin
- Alfred Russel Wallace
- Henry Walter Bates
- The Ameghinos
- References
- References
- Changing Shape of South America
- References
- Introduction
- Biomes
- Ecoregions
- Northwestern South America
- Caribbean Coast
- Northern and Cenral Andes
- Llanos
- Guiana Shield
- The Amazon Basin
- Atlantic Ecoregions
- Cerrado
- Caatinga
- The Atlantic Forest
- Araucaria Moist Forests
- The Paraná River Basin and the Pantanal
- The Southern Cone
- The Atacama Desert
- Chilean Matorral
- The Southern Andes
- Southern Andes
- Cloud Forests
- Chaco
- Pampas
- Patagonia
- Valdivian Temperate Forest
- Magellanic Subpolar Forest
- References
- Part 3 Endemic Vertebrates
- Introduction
- References
- An Ancient Lineage
- References
- Introduction
- Dinosaurs
- Sauropods
- Theropods
- Antarctic Dinosaurs
- Turtles
- Crocodiles and Alligators
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Part 2 Ecosystem Diversity
- References
- Introduction
- References
- Introduction
- Monotremes
- Archaic Mammals
- Dryolestoids
- Multituberculates
- Didolodontidae and Mioclaenidae
- South American Native “Ungulates”
- Notoungulata
- Astrapotheres
- Pyrotheres
- Xenungulata
- Litopterns
- Marsupials and Sparassodonts
- Origin of Marsupials
- Sparassodonts
- True Marsupials
- Xenarthrans
- River Dolphins
- Notes
- References
- Introduction
- Evolution of Birds
- The Ratites: Rheas and Tinamous
- Guans, Curassows and Chachalacas
- Terror Birds
- Screamers
- Ducks and Geese
- Tree Ducks
- Stiff-Tailed Ducks
- Swans
- Torrent Ducks
- Dabbling Ducks
- Condors and New World Vultures
- Teratornithidae
- Caracaras
- Galbuliformes: Puffbirds and Jacamars
- Oscine Birds
- Suboscine Birds
- Ovenbirds and Allies (Suborder Tyranni)
- Earthcreepers, Woodcreepers and Allies
- Antbirds and Allies
- Antthrushes, Antpittas and Allies
- Tapaculos
- Flycatchers, Tyrants, Tyrannulets and Allies
- Sharpbills
- Tityridae
- Cotingas: Cotingidae
- Manakins
- Sheathbills
- Motmots
- Penguins
- Notes
- References
- Part 4 Exotic Vertebrates
- Introduction
- Introduction
- Dinosaurs
- Lizards
- Snakes
- Turtles
- References
- Introduction
- Hoatzins
- Hummingbirds
- Trogons
- Parrots
- Toucans and Barbets
- Galliformes
- Quail
- Quail-Partridge
- Turkeys
- Charadriiformes
- Seedsnipes, Painted-Snipes and Jacanas
- Thick-Knees
- Potoos and Nighthawks
- Flamingos
- Mimids: Mockingbirds and Thrashers
- Donacobius
- Oscines: New World Passerines
- Parulidae
- Tanagers
- Cardinal-Tanagers
- Core Tanagers
- Yellow-Finches
- Warbling-Finches
- Grass-Finches and Pampa-Finches
- Saltators
- True Finches
- Oriole Family
- Sapayoa
Author
- Lee E. Harding
