From Supercontinents to Islands - Evolution in Motion

Gonzalo Giribet, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, and Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
The biological diversity found on an island is closely related to the history of its formation. Islands such as New Zealand, Tasmania, New Caledonia, and Madagascar formed when the supercontinents Pangea and Gondwana broke apart millions of years ago. These islands inherited organisms from their continents of origin, but in the process of becoming isolated, the organisms diversified in ways-and at rates-that were unique. Gonzalo Giribet will discuss the evolutionary processes at play on these continental islands.
Evolution Matters Series supported by a generous gift from Drs. Herman and Joan Suit
April 28, 2016