The fluctuation of land on Earth seems to have altered the biological clocks of many animal species, causing some to evolve at a rapid pace.
New research from the University of Cambridge (UK) shows that in high-altitude regions, time appears to move faster for many bird and mammal species: they have evolved at an astonishing rate.
Kea parrot, a newly evolved species – (Photo: National Geographic).
The study focused on the kea parrot in the highlands of New Zealand and bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains, species that have emerged after a rapid and remarkable evolutionary process from older species.
Dr. Andrew Termanentzap, a senior author of the study, noted that mountaintops often host more unique species that cannot be found elsewhere. “While it was previously thought that the formation of new species was driven by climate, we found that changes in altitude have a much greater global impact,” he stated to Daily Mail.
Ecosystems changing with altitude promote evolution – (Photo: University of Cambridge).
In other words, it is the complex geological processes of Earth – continuously creating new highlands – that have significantly contributed to the evolution of life on the planet.
According to the authors, there are two factors that make uplifted land promote evolution.
- The first is the creation of new habitats that stimulate different species to adapt and evolve, often characterized by decreasing temperatures and increasing environmental complexity.
- The second is that the uplift of land causes two populations of a species to become isolated, unable to interbreed, and start evolving in completely different directions.
This study once again demonstrates that while the stability of the planet has nurtured life through many generations, it is the harsh changes and disasters that serve as remarkable evolutionary pushes, playing a significant role in the development of life forms, including our own species.
