GAARlandia and the Origins of Antillean Freshwater Fish

The hypothesis of GAARlandia suggests that a temporary land bridge once connected regions of South America to the Antilles. This proposed geological formation is named to describe the ancient land route. It offers a potential explanation for how freshwater fish, such as Limia, which are endemic to these islands, were able to make the journey across regions.

For an ordinary reader, this idea is fascinating because it challenges the assumption that freshwater species could never cross vast saltwater barriers. Island biogeography usually relies on ideas of accidental dispersal, such as animals floating on debris during storms. Instead, GAARlandia proposes that a physical pathway existed, allowing species to migrate naturally over dry land before it eventually submerged.

Understanding this hypothesis highlights how much our planet's geography has changed over time. Continents and islands are not entirely static, and ancient tectonic movements can create temporary corridors for wildlife. This concept connects modern biodiversity in the Antilles directly to ancient geological history in South America.