There is generally a pattern of missing animals on oceanic islands. Animals capable of crossing the ocean (birds, plants, saltwater fish, insects) are on these islands, while typically, animals not capable of crossing the ocean (mammals, freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians) are missing. 3
Response
God did not create the animals in their present locations. After the Flood, animals dispersed all over the world from the mountains of Ararat from Noah’s Ark. Animals incapable of crossing the ocean (like mammals or reptiles) are usually missing from oceanic islands as a result.
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Sources
Coyne, J. A. (2009). Why Evolution Is True. New York: Viking.
Notes
- Coyne, 2009, p. 103: “So far we’ve learned two sets of facts about oceanic islands: they are missing many groups of species that live on continents and continental islands, and yet the groups that are found on oceanic islands are replete with many similar species. Together these observations show that, compared to other areas of the world, life on oceanic islands is unbalanced. Any theory of biogeography worth its salt has to explain this contrast.” ↩
- Coyne, 2009, p. 108: “Now try to think of a theory that explains the patterns we’ve discussed by invoking the special creation of species on oceanic islands and continents. Why would a creator happen to leave amphibians, mammals, fish, and reptiles off oceanic islands, but not continental ones? Why did a creator produce radiations of similar species on oceanic islands, but not continental ones? And why were species on oceanic islands created to resemble those from the nearest mainland? There are no good answers–unless, of course, you presume that the goal of a creator was to make species look as though they evolved on islands. Nobody is keen to embrace that answer, which explains why creationists simply shy away from island biogeography.” ↩
- Coyne, 2009, p. 104: “In contrast [to plants, birds, insects and other arthropods], [land mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish] have great difficulty crossing expanses of sea. Land mammals and reptiles are heavy and can’t swim very far. And most amphibians and freshwater fish simply can’t survive in salt water.” ↩