Chapter 1.

ZOOGEOGRAPHY AND ITS BRANCHES

BIOGEOGRAPHY
The study of distribution of all the living organisms or biota on this planet earth is called
biogeography.
It has two main branches:

1. Phytogeography: The study of distribution of plants.

2. Zoogeography: The study of animal distribution throughout the world.

ZOOGEOGRAPHY?

Zoogeography is the study of the patterns of the past, present, and future distribution of animals
in nature and the processes that regulate these distributions.

Zoogeography is the branch of science of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic
distribution (present and past) of animal species.

Branches of Zoogeography
Followings are the main two branches of zoogeography

1. Ecological Zoogeography: The study of local and global distributions of animal species
relative to their environments.
➢ The role of current day biotic and abiotic interactions in influencing animal
distributions.
➢ The study of animal distributions in terms of their environments.
➢
2. Historical Zoogeography: The study of originations, extinctions, and migrations over
time of different animal species in the different regions of the world, often includes
looking at fossil species.
The other branches of zoogeography are:

Faunistic Zoogeography:
The study of all the species of animals found in a particular region, period, or special
environment. Five faunal realms, based on terrestrial animal species, are generally recognized:
Palearctic, Nearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, Neotropical and Australian region.

Chorology
The study of how animals are distributed geographically is called chorology zoogeography.
The study of the spatial distribution of animals.
The study of migrations and of their areas of distribution.
It explains as exactly as possible the geographical range of animals.

Experimental zoogeography
It indicates the procedures that have been used to study the origin, evolution and dispersal of the
animals.
Biocoenotic zoogeography
The study of the interacting animals living together in a habitat.
In ecological studies, biocoenosis is the emphasis on relationships between species in an area.
These relationships are an additional consideration to the interaction of each species with its
physical environment.

Systematic Zoogeography
Is the study of geographical distribution of large group of animals e.g. distribution of birds and
termites.
It is the study of animal diversity and their origin inhabiting different regions of the world.

Causal Zoogeography
In causal zoogeography we seek the causes that are or have been operative to bring about the
type of animal distribution actually found in present-day faunas.

Applied Zoogeography
The study of particular use of distribution of animals for the benefits or interests of human
beings.
➢ It help to develop the theory of the evolution of life.
➢ It has crucial applications for conservation and sustainable use of many levels of
biological diversity.
➢ If we are to make best use of limited resources in terms of animals, we should know
much more about the geography and ecology of that animal.