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Michael Heads
Biogeographical affinities of the New Caledonian biota: a puzzle with 24 pieces.
Journal of Biogeography, 2010, 37, 1179-1201.
ABSTRACT.
Aim.
The
distributions
of
many
New
Caledonian
taxa
were
reviewed
in
order
to
ascertain
the
main
biogeographical
connections
with
other
areas.
Results.
Twenty-four
areas
of
endemism
(tracks)
involving
New
Caledonia
and
different
areas
of
Gondwana,
Tethys
and
the
central
Pacific
were
retrieved.
Most
are
supported
by
taxa
of
lower
and
higher
plants,
and
lower
and
higher
animals.
Main
conclusions.
Although
parts
of
New
Caledonia
were
attached
to
Gondwana
for
some
time
in
the
mid-Cretaceous,
most
of
the
New
Caledonian
terranes
formed
as
oceanic
island
arcs
and
sections
of
sea
floor
bearing
seamounts.
The
flora
and
fauna
have
evolved
and
survived
for
tens
of
millions
of
years
as
metapopulations
on
ephemeral
islands.
Later,
the
biotas
were
juxtaposed
and
fused
during
terrane
accretion.
This
process,
together
with
the
rifting
of
Gondwana,
explains
the
biogeographical
affinities
of
New
Caledonia
with
parts
of
Gondwana,
Tethys
and
the
Pacific.