Biological evidence supports an early and complex emergence of the Isthmus of Panama
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute · University of Gothenburg · +5 more institutions
Abstract
The linking of North and South America by the Isthmus of Panama had major impacts on global climate, oceanic and atmospheric currents, and biodiversity, yet the timing of this critical event remains contentious. The Isthmus is traditionally understood to have fully closed by ca. 3.5 million years ago (Ma), and this date has been used as a benchmark for oceanographic, climatic, and evolutionary research, but recent evidence suggests a more complex geological formation. Here, we analyze both molecular and fossil data to evaluate the tempo of biotic exchange across the Americas in light of geological evidence. We demonstrate significant waves of dispersal of terrestrial organisms at approximately ca. 20 and 6 Ma…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 51.94
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 202
Authors
6- CDChristine D. BaconCorresponding
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, University of Gothenburg
- DSDaniele Silvestro
SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Gothenburg, University of Lausanne
- CJCarlos Jaramillo
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
- BTBrian Tilston Smith
Louisiana State University, Houston Museum of Natural Science, American Museum of Natural History
- PCProsanta Chakrabarty
Louisiana State University
Topics & keywords
- Biological dispersal
- Vicariance
- Ecology
- Panama
- Climate change
- Biome
- Biodiversity
- Taxon
- Life below water
Funding
- NSNational Science FoundationAwards: 0966884, EAR 0824299; OISE/EAR/DRL 0966884, 1354149, 331024, FP/2007-2013, DEB 0916695, 0916695, EAR 0824299, 0824299, DEB 1354149
- SISmithsonian Institution
- NGNational Geographic Society
- ECEuropean CommissionAwards: FP/2007-2013, 2007-2013
- SFSvenska Forskningsrådet FormasAward: B0569601
- VVetenskapsrådetAward: B0569601
- EREuropean Research CouncilAward: 331024
- OOOffice of International Science and Engineering