megapodes

[(John Leonard)]

Here's an interesting question.

In Australia there is one species of megapode (Malleefowl) found in the band
of mallee across the south of the continent and two species (Scrub Turkey
and Orange-footed Scrubfowl) found in rainforest and adjacent habitats down
the east coast. However there is not, and hasn't been in Recent times, a
species inhabiting dry schlerophyll and woodland down the eastern side of
the continent. Why not? Surely if the mallee can support a species, then dry
forest and woodland could too.

Any suggestions? (any fossils?)




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Dr John Leonard
PO Box 243, Woden,
ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA

"We are not concerned with hopes and fears,
only with the truth as far as our reason permits
us to discover it." Charles Darwin

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