The Geographic Origins of Southeast Asian Biodiversity Are More Closely Linked Than Previously Thought
ECOLOGY
10/30/2024
A collaborative effort by an international team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen, Bangor University, Lakehead University, and IPB University has revealed that the geographic origins of various plants, insects, and mammals are more closely connected than previously believed. This finding challenges longstanding theories suggesting that groups of flora and fauna evolved separately on different landmasses before diversifying across regions. In a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B in September 2024, the researchers reconstructed the evolution of species found in Southeast Asia over the past 45 million years. They discovered that these plants, insects, and mammals shared a common geographic origin and distribution, spreading and colonizing specific areas in Southeast Asia much earlier than previously thought. This breakthrough provides a fresh perspective on the evolution and spread of global biodiversity, offering valuable insights that are crucial for future conservation efforts.
