Re: [RML] New Rainbowfishes

peter.unmack at ASU.Edu
Thu, 22 Oct 1998 17:04:18 -0700 (MST)

On Fri, 23 Oct 1998, Merlin wrote:

> Sahul, refers to the once existant land mass between Papua New Guinea and
> Australia. Evidence shows it was present around 10,000 years ago. :)

Not quite. The land is still there, it is just under a little bit of water
right now. Sahul is the name given to the terrestrial land mass of Australia
and New Guniea which during low sea levels is a single integrated dry
continent. The last time the sea withdrew was around 10,000-7,000 years ago.
Sea level has gone up and down many times, probably about once every 100,000
years or so. Australia and New Guniea have been intermittantly terrestrial
throughout their history.

Tootles
Peter Unmack