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Biogeography and Ecology in Tasmania pp 339–365Cite as

Some Problems Associated with the Avifauna

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Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 25))

Abstract

It is commonplace for islands to have fewer bird species than adjoining mainlands. In this respect Tasmania is no different to other islands. Lack (1969) has pointed out that until recently this was attributed to difficulties of dispersal, a view which he rejected. The two most recent studies of the Tasmanian avifauna (Ridpath & Moreau, 1966; Kikkawa & Pearse, 1969) both attributed the low number of species breeding in Tasmania to the barrier effect of Bass Strait. In this chapter it is argued that the barrier effect alone is inadequate and that additional factors must be taken into account if the impoverishment of the Tasmanian avifauna is to be explained adequately. The comprehensive theory of island biogeography proposed by Macarthur & Wilson (1963, 1967) is believed to provide this explanation.

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  1. 6 Turanna Street, Moonah, Tasmania, 7009, Australia

    Mr D. G. Thomas

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W. D. Williams

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© 1974 Dr. W. Junk b.v., Publishers, The Hague

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Thomas, D.G. (1974). Some Problems Associated with the Avifauna. In: Williams, W.D. (eds) Biogeography and Ecology in Tasmania. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 25. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2337-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2337-5_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-2339-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-2337-5

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