i- 



' [Anxai.s N. Y. Acad. Sci., Vol. XXIV, pp. 171-318. 18 February, 1915] 



CLIMATE AND EVOLUTION^ 



By W. D. Matthew 



(Presented in abstract before the Academy, 13 February, 1911) 



CONTENTS 



Page 



Thesis l'^2 



Introduction 173 



Alternations of elevation and climate during geological time 173 



Permanency of the ocean basins 174 



Distribution of land and water, present and past 175 



Effects of alternations of elevation and climate upon evolution of 



terrestrial f aiinas 176 



Comparison with the paleontological record ? 178 



Interpretation of supposed exceptions 179 



Principles of dispersal 180 



Review of the evolution of vertebrate life 181 



Imperfection of the geological record 183 



Zoological regions, past and present 185 



Former barriers and bridges 189 



Regional correlation 191 



Synchronism and homotaxis 192 



Tertiary correlation in South America 195 



Centers of dispersal 200 



Oceanic and continental islands 202 



Faunal differences between oceanic and continental islands 202 



Natural rafts and the probabilities of over-sea migration thereby 206 



Considerations affecting probabilities of over-sea migration in special 



cases 208 



Dispersal of mammalia 209 



Mankind 209 



Primates 214 



Carnivora 217 



Canidse 218 



Procyonidie 220 



Mustelida" 221 



Ursid* 221 



Viverridfe 222 



Hytenidfe 223 



Felida^ 223 



IMnnipedia 223 



Insectivora 224 



Chiroptera 227 



Rodentia 228 



1 Mamii5cript received bv the Editor, 20 October, 1014. 



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