Story: Evolution of plants and animals
The most important factor affecting the evolution of life in New Zealand was its break with the Gondwana supercontinent 85 million years ago. After being isolated, New Zealand was too far away for many plants and animals to reach. The ocean acted as a selective filter. Many life forms that arose on other lands over the past 85 million years could not spread to New Zealand.
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GNS Science
Animation by Rupert Sutherland
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