New evidence for late Eocene-early Oligocene uplift of Aves Ridge and paleogeography of GAARlandia

The GAARlandia hypothesis has produced vigorous debate among biologists regarding whether now-submerged landforms that existed in the Caribbean region during late Paleogene might have acted as a barrier for marine organisms and bridge terrestrial biotas migrating from South America into Greater Antilles. This concept derived hypothesized emergence history of Aves Ridge. In quarter century since was first proposed, new paleontological, geological geophysical information greatly extended database available. Here we reaffirm positive topographic feature middle Eocene, exposed above sea level between Eocene early Oligocene when it facilitated biotic colonization northern Antilles their satellite islands, series closely spaced islands or continuous peninsula projecting northeastern along crown rise.