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Study Questions Chapter 5 - Biogeography

1. What kind of biogeographic distrubutions are present in turtle families? Assign the distribution of each of the following families as Gondwanan, Laurasian, or unequivocal (you can't tell): Chelidae, Cheloniidae, Chelydridae, Emydidae, Kinosternidae, and Trionychidae.
2. What kind of evidence supports the conclusion that a geographical distribution is the result of vicariance? Dispersal?
3. Is the distribution of bushmasters in Central and South America more likely a result of vicariance or dispersal? How could you further test Zamudio and Greene's conclusion?
4. Outline the two competing hypotheses about the biogeography of anguids. Which one is more likely to be correct and what evidence supports it?
5. What was the last historical connector between Australia and the rest of Gondwana? Why is it difficult (without phylogenetic information) to know if Australian species are Gondwanan or Laurasian in origin?
6. Outline the biogeographic history of elapids in relation to Australia. How do pythons differ from this pattern?
7. Describe salient biogeographic patterns for Ensatina and Taricha. Are the evolutionary histories of the two species linked? In what way?
8. Are the patterns of vicariance in California’s biodiversity hotspot congruent? Use examples from herps to support your argument.

Bonus Question: What is Wallace's Line? Why does it "exist?"