Zoogeography

Zoogeography

Zoogeography is the branch of the science of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of animal species and their attributes. That makes Zoogeography the study of patterns of biodiversity regarding time and space.

Overview

Zoogeography is the study of the patterns of the past, present, and future distribution of animals (and their attributes) in nature and the processes that regulate these distributions, and it’s the scientific analysis of the patterns of biodiversity regarding time and space. Zoogeography integrates information on the historical and current ecology, genetics, and physiology of organisms and their interaction with environmental processes (continental drift, climate) in regulating geographic distributions of animals. Scientists use descriptive and analytical approaches useful in hypothesis testing in zoogeography and which illustrates the applied aspects of zoogeography (e.g. refuge design in conservation).

Branches of Zoogeography

Zoogeography is often divided into two main branches: Ecological Zoogeography and Historical Zoogeography. The former investigates the role of current day biotic and abiotic interactions in influencing animal distributions; the latter are concerned with historical reconstruction of the origin, dispersal, and extinction of taxa. Faunistics is a study of the fauna of some territory or area.

Branches of Biology relevant to Zoogeography

It’s part of a more general science known as biogeography. Phytogeographers are concerned with patterns and process in plant distribution. Most of the major questions and kinds of approaches taken to answer such questions are held in common between phyto- and zoogeographers.

ee also

* Phytogeography
* Biogeography
* Zoology
* Fauna

References

1. Brown, J.H. & Lomolino, M.V. 1998. "Biogeography". 2nd edition. Chapter 1.

2. Avise, J.C. 1994. "Molecular markers, natural history and evolution". Chapman and Hall. Pp. 224-226.

3. Bowen, B.W. et al. 1992. Global population structure and natural history of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in terms of matriarchial phylogeny. "Evolution" 46: 865-881.

* [http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~etaylor/413www/intro.htm Introduction to Zoogeography] by Dr. Eric B. (Rick) Taylor, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia

External links

Resources for students of Zoogeography

* [http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~etaylor/413www/413outlnew.html Biology 413] : A course outline and collection of Web resources by Dr. Taylor, UBC


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Zoogeography — o [ o]*ge*og ra*phy, n. [Zo[ o] + geography.] The study or description of the geographical distribution of animals. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • zoogeography — [zō΄ə jē äg′rə fē] n. [ ZOO + GEOGRAPHY] the science dealing with the geographical distribution of animals; specif., the study of the relationship between specific animal forms and species and the regions in which they live zoogeographer n.… …   English World dictionary

  • zoogeography — zoogeografija statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Mokslas, tiriantis gyvūnų rūšių paplitimą Žemėje, atskirų jų rūšių arealus, dabartinių geografinių zoocenozių raidos istoriją. atitikmenys: angl. zoogeography vok. Tiergeographie …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • zoogeography — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1868 a branch of biogeography concerned with the geographic distribution of animals and especially with the determination of the areas characterized by specific groups of animals and the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • zoogeography — n. [Gr. zoon, animal; ge, earth; graphein, to write] 1. The science of geographical distribution of animals. 2. The environmental relationships that cause the distribution …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • zoogeography — zoogeographer, n. zoogeographic /zoh euh jee euh graf ik/, zoogeographical, adj. zoogeographically, adv. /zoh euh jee og reuh fee/, n. 1. the science dealing with the geographical distribution of animals. 2. the study of the causes, effects, and… …   Universalium

  • zoogeography — noun The scientific study of the geographical distribution of animal species …   Wiktionary

  • zoogeography — The geography of animals; the study of the distribution of animals on the earth s surface. * * * zoo·ge·og·ra·phy .zō ə jē äg rə fē n, pl phies a branch of biogeography concerned with the geographical distribution of animals and esp. with the… …   Medical dictionary

  • zoogeography — study of geographic distribution of animals Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • zoogeography — n. study of geographical distribution of animals and of connection between them and their environment …   English contemporary dictionary

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