What is the role of fossil analysis in biogeography?

Fossil analysis plays a crucial role in biogeography by allowing scientists to note the geographical distribution of related species over time. By examining fossils from various regions, researchers can identify how species are distributed and how they may have evolved in different geographical areas. This can reveal patterns of migration, adaptation to different environments, and relationships between species based on their locations.

For instance, if similar fossils are found in separate continents, this may suggest that those species once shared a common ancestor and that continental drift has since separated their habitats. By tracking these geographical distributions and their changes through time, scientists can better understand the evolutionary processes that have shaped biodiversity.

Determining the age of species provides valuable information for the evolutionary timeline but is not the primary focus of biogeography. While documenting extinct species provides insights into past life forms, biogeography involves studying both extinct and extant (currently living) species. Finding transitional forms is essential for understanding evolutionary change, but it pertains more specifically to evolutionary biology than to the broader patterns of species distribution addressed in biogeography.