Introduction to zoogeography Definition The study of geographical

Introduction to zoogeography

Definition: • The study of geographical distribution of animals is Zoogeography. • The vertebrates have characteristic patterns of distribution on the land masses. • Zoogeography is helpful in understanding the evolution. • The increase in number of animals by reproduction makes them distribute in all directions. • Dispersal continues until barrier is reached. The reason for such discontinuous distribution of related groups is due to the development of the barriers or due to the extinction of forms In the intermediate area. • The idea of Zoogeography was originally contributed by P. L Sciater. He studied the geographical distribution of birds in his paper.

• According to Darlington the continents of the whole world can be divided into. • Nearctic region • Palaearctic region • Neotropical region • Ethiopian region • Oriental region • Australian region

• The accepted system of continental faunal regions. • Region - 1. Nearctic region: This includes North America and Mexico above tropics. • Region - 2. Palaearctic region: This region comprises Eurasia above tropics and Northern corner of Africa. • Region - 3. Oriental region: This includes tropical Asia and associated Islands. • Region - 4. Ethiopian region: This includes Africa and Southern region of Arabia. • Region - 5. Neotropical region: This includes South America, Central America and Southern part of Mexico. • Region - 6. Australian region: This region includes Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, New zealand some neighboring islands.