The Australian Salt-Water Crocodile [Crocodylus porosus] is an ancient group of achosaurs, which first appeared in the fossil record during the Late Triassic; over 200 million years ago. An ancestor of the Salt Water Crocodile, is the Isisfordia duncanii, which originated in Isisford Qld during the Mid Cretaceous period. The Isisfordia duncanii is essentially, the beginning of the lifestyle, known as “semi aquatic ambush predators” and despite being considerably smaller than the average Salt Water Crocodile, it bears a striking resemblance to its modern day counterpart. This new discovery has allowed for an insight into how this species resulted in the creation of the Salt Water Crocodile.
The main reason why Australia has a unique range of flora and fauna, is as a result of Continental Drift and how it separated Australia from the other continents. This allowed for the animals living in Australia to evolve to the climate, without any genetic input from other species, for over 70 million years. This makes Australia unique to every other continent, as no other population is able to share its gene pool with Australia’s as a result of its reproductive isolation with other landmasses, therefore creating a population of flora and fauna unique to all other countries and continents. …show more content…
Natural Selection is when the more beneficial traits evolved, increase the survivability of a group and this allows for the increased spread of this trait; until eventually, the entire population has the traits, this results in negative traits being bred out. The Salt Water Crocodile’s ancestors underwent this process, in order to adapt to Australia’s harsh climate over many generations; as a result of Continental Drift. This evolutionary process has led to the Salt Water Crocodile having the features it does
The main reason why Australia has a unique range of flora and fauna, is as a result of Continental Drift and how it separated Australia from the other continents. This allowed for the animals living in Australia to evolve to the climate, without any genetic input from other species, for over 70 million years. This makes Australia unique to every other continent, as no other population is able to share its gene pool with Australia’s as a result of its reproductive isolation with other landmasses, therefore creating a population of flora and fauna unique to all other countries and continents. …show more content…
Natural Selection is when the more beneficial traits evolved, increase the survivability of a group and this allows for the increased spread of this trait; until eventually, the entire population has the traits, this results in negative traits being bred out. The Salt Water Crocodile’s ancestors underwent this process, in order to adapt to Australia’s harsh climate over many generations; as a result of Continental Drift. This evolutionary process has led to the Salt Water Crocodile having the features it does