Isthmus of Panama, a Land Bridge for Animals: a super highway for biodiversity.
Last week we learned and confirmed that the Panama land mass known as the Isthmus, was formed about 3 million years ago - a mere infant among land masses. Sure, 3 million years is a long time but, Earth is 4.5 billion years old and Australia is home to the oldest crystals at 4.4 billion years old.
To put this into perspective: If Earth was a calendar year and formed on January 1st, Panama wouldn't appear until time to open the champagne on Dec. 31st at 11:58 PM. Pretty crazy to think that over tens of millions of years, land rose up out of the water to connect the continents and then, we humans went back in 3 million years later and created a waterway again - the Panama Canal! I guess we figured out how handy that ancient passage between continents really was!
Before the Isthmus rose up out of the sea, North and South America were separated by water. We're not talking a narrow waterway like the Panama Canal, it was wide enough that animals couldn't migrate between the continents. So, you can imagine how excited they were when able to venture to new lands, with new foods and habitat. With that came the age known as the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI).
This would be the coolest wildlife bridge ever and it most certainly worked. Animals moved in both directions but more so from North to the South rather than the other way around. Now, almost half of the South American mammals descend from their Northerners vs only 10% of the North American mammals descending from their Southern ancestors.
Take Kunochi for example - this White-Faced Panamanian Capuchin. His species is considered the smartest of New World Monkeys (monkeys native to Central and South America) which is probably why they were the earliest known mammals to migrate from South to North, actually 18 million years before the Isthmus was created. Surprisingly so, Capuchin monkeys LOVE water so it is believed they hitched a ride on vegetation floating on the ocean to North America.
All the New World Monkeys in North America migrated from South America as a result of the Isthmus of Panama. At our eco resort there is a troop of Azuero Mantle-Backed Howler monkeys, and in the Cerro Hoyas National Park where we guide our guests on hikes we see Azuero Spider Monkeys and Panamanian White-Faced Capuchin. These are such precious animals that are disappearing fast along with their habitat. Living among them and witnessing monkeys in the wild is not something you can ever get used to but it is always truly incredible to see such beautiful and graceful animals.
If migrating south to Panama for some time in the tropics immersed in nature, adventure, and a great culture during the cold northern winter sounds good to you, come stay with us at Morrillo Beach Eco Resort!
With love from Panama,
Cari and Ryan
Owners & hosts
Comments