Amber fossils show how ancient Australian landmass seeded Southeast Asia's tropical forests

A landmass that split from northwestern Australia around 150 million years ago and drifted north for 100 million years played a key role in shaping Southeast Asia's rich tropical forests, according to new research. The study, based on amber fossils, reveals how this ancient continent fragment, known as Argoland, carried plants and animals that later contributed to the region's biodiversity. As Argoland collided with Southeast Asia, it acted as a biological raft, transferring species that evolved in isolation. This process helps explain why Southeast Asia has such a high number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The findings highlight the deep geological history behind today's rainforests and underscore the importance of land connections in driving evolution. Understanding these ancient migrations can inform modern conservation efforts by revealing how ecosystems formed over millions of years. The research offers a glimpse into the planet's dynamic past and the forces that continue to shape life on Earth.