Sometimes imaginary lines, which individual countries also share ecosystems. This is what is happening on the border known as the Wallace line, an imaginary limit that separates Asia from Oceania Not only politically, but also biologically.
And this does it in such a way that it seems to share two completely different worlds from the point of view of flora and fauna. Two worlds, which, as popular believe, never get together, despite their intimacy. What does this special area do? Is it true that animals cannot cross the Wallace line? The idea came to accepting almost mystical dyes, as if invisible power did not allow creatures to move on one side to the other, but this dispute could be contrasted with scientific hypotheses.
What is the line of Wallace?
The Wallace line is named after the British naturalist Alfred Russell Walles, who, in the nineteenth century, noted that the species of animals and plants were on one side of this imaginary line were Usually Asian And on the other hand, they were more like those that could be found in Australia. On the islands to the west of the line, such as Borneo or Bali, you can find Tigers, elephants and primates, such as OrangutansThe field on the other hand, in the east, on islands, such as a scrap or new Guinea, is more common kangaroo or marsupial speciesMore typical animals of Australia.
Wallace wondered what these worlds separated. We can find an answer in Geological history of the regionAsia and Oceania, the field of Asia was once connected during glaciation with earthly bridges, which allowed the form to migrate and expand. However, over time and elevation of the seas, these bridges disappeared and left the islands isolated, and the species developed in the same and independently.
A very common idea
Over time, the Wallace line was the origin of various myths and beliefs. A very popular idea is that this line is a kind of impassable barrier that animals cannot cross naturally. But no, the reason for this is not a supernatural force, there is a geographical reason: the presence of an ocean between them, Sea currents They can become very strong and prevent the animals from passing from side to side. Birds that are able to fly at large distances and, thus, avoid the ocean, may not have biological means or the necessary migration routes.
Evolution This is also an important factor; The habitat of each side of the Wallace line forced the type to develop to adapt to their own environment.
Wallace and Darwin
WALLACE It is considered the father of biogeography and Theory of theory of evolution through natural selectionAlthough he was overshadowed by charisma Charles Darwin. According to CSIC, in 1858 the young Wallace sent a spelling already raised by Darwin, in which he explained his theory about the evolution of living beings through the natural part. This document was decisive for Darwin to decide to make his own public theory, in which he worked for many years since then, basically, he coincided with the fact that Wallace, presented in his letter.
In the same year, two texts of Darwin were presented, which summarized their work on this issue until this moment and full article by Wallace, thus formalizing the fact that the theory was conceived by both authors independently. The following year, in 1859, Darwin published a work for which he was known all over the world, The origin of the species through natural selectionField
All these scientific evidence confirms that although the Wallace line is not an impassable physical barrier, and A combination of natural factorsFor example, the sea and evolution, which usually interfere with freely mixing the views between both sides.
However, throughout history, some species managed to overcome this natural barrier, either by natural means or human intervention. Nevertheless, the transport of species by man in the territory has largely broken with this natural evolution and leaves catastrophic consequences for local ecosystems.
