Australia’s fossils show us that it has a very unique history of wildlife development. Many ancient marsupials and other animals found only in Australia evolved there because the continent was isolated from others. Studying these old fossils helps us understand why Australia has such special and diverse plants and animals today.
In addition to Australia, the Oceanic region includes other islands and areas that have fascinating fossil records. For example, New Zealand’s fossils provide insights into its own unique past. Notably, fossils of the giant flightless bird, the Moa, which became extinct several hundred years ago, highlight the distinct evolutionary path New Zealand’s isolated ecosystem took. Similarly, the discovery of fossils of the Haast’s eagle, which preyed on Moas and was one of the largest eagles known, helps us understand how isolation led to the development of such unique species in New Zealand.
These examples from the Oceanic region show how islands, separated from larger landmasses, can evolve very unique wildlife, which helps scientists learn more about the history of life on our planet.