Biology Now, 2e

204 ■ CHAPTER 11 Evidence for Evolution

EVOLUTION

We can use knowledge of evolution and

continental drift to make predictions about

the biogeography of a species—the geographic

locations where its fossils will be found. For

example, today the lungfish Neoceratodus fosteri

is found only in northeastern Australia, but its

ancestors lived during the time of Pangaea. As

predicted, therefore, fossils of those ancestors

are found on all continents except Antarctica

(Figure 11.14).

The biogeography of whale fossils matches

the pattern predicted by evolution: all early

Pangaea

Portions of the

supercontinent

Pangaea began

to drift apart

about 200 million

years ago.

This species is

currently found

in only the

orange-shaded

region of Australia.

Red dots indicate places where

N. fosteri fossils have been found.

Figure 11.14

Biogeography can reveal a species’ evolutionary past

Ancestors of the freshwater lungfish Neoceratodus fosteri lived during the time of Pangaea. N. fosteri fossils have been found on all

continents except Antarctica.

Q1: Why should we expect to find N. fosteri fossils all over the world, given that it first evolved in Pangaea?

Q2: Can we use biogeographic evidence to support evolution without using fossil evidence? Give examples.

Q3: How might we use DNA sequence similarities together with biogeography as evidence for evolution?