Formation of Andes Acted as "Species Pump"

A researcher at Gothenburg University’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences has proposed a new theory of the Andes mountain range acting as a driving force for the massive biodiversity of life located in South America.

Using DNA analysis of hundreds of South American plant and animal species, this scientist was able to piece together common ancestors, and when and where evolving life separated into distinct species. A strong connection was identified between the increase in geographic speciation and the uplift of the Andes mountains beginning some 23 million years ago. The result of this mountain range formation was a "species pump" that increased the biodiversity and spread of species across the continent and into Central America.

The Andes are formed by the subduction of the Nazca tectonic plate beneath the South American plate. The vertical rise of these mountains not only created microclimates and environments that contributed to species diversification, it also forced the retreat and elimination of Lago Pebas, a great inland sea in the middle of South America, which acted as a barrier to species movement across the continent.

These results are part of a doctoral thesis defended on November 28th at Gothenburg University.

Source: ScienceDaily; Photo: Wikipedia