The Significance of the Distribution of the Megapodiidae

Abstract

An analysis of the zoogeography of the Megapodiidae and Phasianidae shows these families to have a mutually exclusive and complementary distribution. This probably results from the ability of the Phasianidae to displace megapodes while being unable to cross water barriers. Megapodes, on the other hand, are excellent overwater colonizers and persist in areas inaccessible to phasianids., Despite their great differences in morphology and behaviour, the distributional pattern of megapodes and phastanids seems to indicate that they interact as ecological counterparts.