Biogeographic Processes
Biogeographic Processes
This chapter reviews the meanings of two biogeographic processes, vicariance and dispersal, considered by some to be the most important dispute in biogeography. In biogeography, dispersal has been used to describe almost any movement by an organism, and has long been inferred to be the principal mechanism by which organisms became distributed. Dispersion occurs prior to geographical isolation, which leads to vicariance. Any form of vicariance occurs because of prior movement that established a broad range which was ultimately disrupted. The chapter also describes three models that have been invoked to explain area patterns or a portion of patterns: biotic dispersal, extinction, and ecological stranding. It furthermore explores the difference between areagrams and taxon/area cladograms, or TACs.
Keywords: vicariance, biogeography, dispersion, biotic dispersal, extinction, ecological stranding, areagrams, taxon/area cladograms, TACs
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