UPPER TRIASSIC PACIFIC VICARIANCE AS A TEST OF GEOLOGICAL THEORIES

Upper Triassic vicariance that spans the Pacific involving terrestrial biotas in south east Asia/south western North America and Queensland/ Chile/Argentina is summarized. These terrestrial and freshwater organi sms did not migrate via high-latitude landbridges or across ocean barr iers or Pangaea, are endemic to these vicariant fragments, and are mos tly identical species. Rejoining the vicariant fragments is compatible with rapid earth expansion but is incompatible with other geological theories that call upon Panthalassa, Pacifica, displaced terranes and slow earth expansion. Vicariance biogeography yields a rigorous test o f these models since its data ar-e derived entirely independently of t hem. The Upper Triassic time-frame was selected because it immediately preceded the break-up of Pangaea.