ZOOGEOGRAPHY AND PALEONTOLOGY
Biogeography: Bio means “life” or “biota”, so, the geographical distribution of biota (flora + fau-na) on
the planet earth is called Biogeography.
Geography is the study of diverse environments, places and spaces of earth planet and their inter-actions.
The geographical distribution of plants is called Phytogeography.
The geographical distribution of animals is called Zoogeography.
Paleontology: Paleos – a Latin word means “ancient”, while Ontos means “life” and Logos
means “study” are two Greek words. So, the study of ancient life preserved as fossils is called
Paleontology. OR The study of fossils is called Paleontology.
Aims and Objectives of the Course
1. To understand the origin, dispersal/distribution and extinction of animals and their interactions
with environment in the past.
2. To gain knowledge and understand the concepts of evolution mainly on the basis of fossil
record.
3. To understand the differences between the past and present geographical distributions of
animals.
4. To update and rationalize the present day geographical distribution of faunas.
5. To rationalize status of the available natural (physical and biological) resources for their
uniform allotment (distribution) and sustainable use.
6. To model (predict/simulate) future geographical distribution of animals and possible
evolutionary processes.
Branches of Zoogeography
There are three main branches of Zoogeography;
1. Applied Zoogeography: Study of geographical distribution of animals by taking into
account the aspects of medical importance, conservation management, economic production,
environment assessment, and uniform and sustainable distribution and use of available physical
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Biogeography: Bio means “life” or “biota”, so, the geographical distribution of biota (flora + fau-na) on
the planet earth is called Biogeography.
Geography is the study of diverse environments, places and spaces of earth planet and their inter-actions.
The geographical distribution of plants is called Phytogeography.
The geographical distribution of animals is called Zoogeography.
Paleontology: Paleos – a Latin word means “ancient”, while Ontos means “life” and Logos
means “study” are two Greek words. So, the study of ancient life preserved as fossils is called
Paleontology. OR The study of fossils is called Paleontology.
Aims and Objectives of the Course
1. To understand the origin, dispersal/distribution and extinction of animals and their interactions
with environment in the past.
2. To gain knowledge and understand the concepts of evolution mainly on the basis of fossil
record.
3. To understand the differences between the past and present geographical distributions of
animals.
4. To update and rationalize the present day geographical distribution of faunas.
5. To rationalize status of the available natural (physical and biological) resources for their
uniform allotment (distribution) and sustainable use.
6. To model (predict/simulate) future geographical distribution of animals and possible
evolutionary processes.
Branches of Zoogeography
There are three main branches of Zoogeography;
1. Applied Zoogeography: Study of geographical distribution of animals by taking into
account the aspects of medical importance, conservation management, economic production,
environment assessment, and uniform and sustainable distribution and use of available physical
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