JUST AS NATURALIST Charles Darwin famously observed that the Galápagos archipelago's finch species differed from island to island (see page 98), the snails in an area of the Kimberley region in WA have evolved in response to distinct and isolated environments on islands and in remnant rainforest patches. The landscapes where they occur-in Wunambal Gaambera Country in the Kimberley's north-west-are arguably more dramatic and remote than the Galápagos's finch habitat. They're in a rugged, rock-strewn region 500km north-east of Broome, accessible only by four-wheel-drive. In the Dry, intrepid travellers along the Gibb River Road here make a side-trip to see the spectacular Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls). Offshore, boat owners and luxury yachts are familiar with only a few of the hundreds of islands, resembling small jewels in an azure sea, that form the area's Bonaparte Archipelago.
The region is already renowned for its high diversity of mammal species, including the world's tiniest marsupial the monjon. Yet, for every different mammal here, there are dozens of snail species, and although smaller and perhaps less charismatic, they're just as scientifically important. Many of the snail species survive in very restricted habitats. Some are unique to their own small rainforest patch or, in the case of offshore locations, found only in a single spot on a particular island.
It's the remarkable land snail diversity that has prompted this part of the Kimberley region to be placed on the National Heritage List. Most of the rare snails are members of the Camaenidae family - known for its remarkable diversity related to lifestyle. Embedded in their varied shell shapes, DNA, and even genitalia, is a story of adaptation - of evolution by natural selection.
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Denne historien er fra Australian Geographic #173-utgaven av Australian Geographic Magazine.
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Loveday Internment Camp, SA A
DURING WORLD WAR II, civilians n Australia deemed \"enemy aliens\" - mostly those of German, Italian and Japanese descent were housed in internment camps.
THE STORYTELLERS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
More than 100 dedicated Master Reef Guides are sharing the GBR's most important stories with visitors in a bid to inspire its greater protection.
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
Does last summer's mass coral bleaching event sound a death knell for Australia's beloved Great Barrier Reef? \"Not on my watch!\" is the message coming from he army of heartbroken, but resolute, marine scientists who've responded to the crisis by doubling down on their research.
AROUND AUSTRALIA IN 44 DAYS
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first aerial circumnavigation of Australia. Aviator Michael Smith retraces the flight in his unique amphibious flying boat, Southern Sun, starting and finishing at RAAF Base Point Cook, on Melbourne's Port Phillip, taking in 15,000km of vast, diverse and stunning coastline in between.
CLEAR-CUTTING KOALA COUNTRY
More than 3000sq.km of forests on NSW's Mid North Coast have been earmarked for the Great Koala National Park. But there's still work to be done before this proposed reserve becomes the safe haven koalas desperately need.
MORE THAN QUOKKAS
Sure, you can't avoid those cute little marsupials that made Rottnest Island world-famous, but there's so much more to life on this ocean-ringed jewel off the Western Australian coast.
A WILD POLO TUSSLE
It's an event reminiscent of a Banjo Paterson poem. For 35 years, in the High Country 200km east of Melbourne, city polo players have gathered annually at Cobungra, Victoria's largest cattle station, to vie with a rural team for the Dinner Plain Polo Cup.
Ancient know-how meets a modern challenge
Contemporary marine park management is infused with traditional knowledge to tackle new threats on the Great Barrier Reef.
LOOKING FOR TJAKURA
The search is on across Australia's deserts for a culturally important vulnerable lizard.
RESCUING THE CHUDITCH
After intensive planning, recovery for this endangered marsupial species is being stepped up to secure its future.