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"True or False

The majority of Australia wildlife cannot
be found in any other country.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

True, the majority of Australia's wildlife, including various marsupials and other species like the platypus, are endemic to the country due to historic isolation.

Step-by-step explanation:

True. The majority of Australia's wildlife is indeed unique to the country and cannot be found in any other part of the world. Australia's historic isolation resulted in the evolution of a wide range of endemic species that are found nowhere else. This includes a variety of marsupials like kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies, but also other animals such as the monotremes like the platypus and echidna. Due to the separation from other land masses over 200 million years ago, these species have evolved independently, leading to significant diversification.

Australia's wildlife is a perfect example of how geographic isolation can influence the development of species. The unique conditions on this island continent allowed for species to diverge from their ancestors and become entirely new forms, as evidenced by the diverse marsupial population. The concept of endemic species, those found exclusively within a certain area, is exemplified by Australia's fauna. The southwest region of Australia is recognized as one of the world's biodiversity 'hotspots', particularly rich in endemic plant species, though this area has also experienced significant habitat loss due to agricultural development.

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