Chapter 2: Evolution of Amazonian biodiversity
Juan M. Guayasamin, Camila C. Ribas, Ana Carolina Carnaval, Juan D. Carrillo, Carina Hoorn, Lúcia G. Lohmann, Douglas Riff, Carmen Ulloa Ulloa, James S. Albert
Abstract
This chapter reviews the evolutionary history of the Amazon’s terrestrial and riverine ecosystems, involving geological and climatic events operating over millions of years and across the whole of continental South America. The chapter discusses the important roles of geographic barriers, habitat heterogeneity, climate change, and species interactions in generating and maintaining the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. This unique history produced heterogeneous environments and diverse habitats at multiple geographic scales, which altered the connections between populations and allowed for the accumulation of the most diverse biota on Earth.