Summary
Wallace's realms divide the Earth by distinctive faunas shaped by plate tectonics and dispersal.
In depth
Wallace divided the world into Nearctic, Palearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Oriental, Australasian and others. Wallace's Line separates Asian and Australasian fauna. Plate tectonics explains the distribution of marsupials and ratites.
Realms reflect evolutionary history and barriers. Continental drift separated faunas. Wallace's line marks sharp faunal change.
Remember: biogeography combines ecology and history.
Frequently asked questions
What is Biogeographic Regions?
Wallace's realms divide the Earth by distinctive faunas shaped by plate tectonics and dispersal.
Which area of biology covers Biogeographic Regions, and how advanced is it?
Biogeographic Regions is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Minimum Viable Population, Phylogenetic Diversity.
Can you give an example of Biogeographic Regions?
Madagascar's lemurs result from long isolation.
What should I learn before Biogeographic Regions?
Work through the Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity first, such as Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy, then return to Biogeographic Regions. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Biogeographic Regions?
The closest topics to Biogeographic Regions are Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Minimum Viable Population, Phylogenetic Diversity, Hybridisation and Species Boundaries. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Biogeographic Regions?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Biogeographic Regions. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
How is Biogeographic Regions different from Evolutionarily Distinct Species?
Biogeographic Regions: Wallace's realms divide the Earth by distinctive faunas shaped by plate tectonics and dispersal. Evolutionarily Distinct Species: Species with few close relatives, such as the tuatara, representing unique branches of evolutionary history. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Biogeographic Regions step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Evolutionarily Distinct Species and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.