Though New Zealand is relatively close to Australia, it's faunal assemblages are quite different. For instance, there are no native marsupials in New Zealand. Which of the following best accounts for these differences?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

New Zealand and Australia were once connected by a land bridge, but this connection was lost about 85 million years ago, isolating New Zealand from the rest of the world. This isolation led to the development of unique flora and fauna in New Zealand, distinct from those in Australia. The absence of marsupials in New Zealand can be attributed to the fact that marsupials never made it to the island before it became isolated. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Though New Zealand Is Relatively Close to Australia, It's Faunal