In these days of controversy over global trade, it might be well to remember that North America has long been in the export-import business. Indeed, the northern portion of the continent has traded plants and animals so freely with nearby Eurasia, via the Beringian area, that many biogeographers recognize a Holarctic biogeographic region encompassing the two continents.
The true extent of animal trade, however, is obscured by the widespread
extinctions near the end of the last Ice Age, around 11,000 years ago. For example, the
camel family had most of its history in North America, and today's Chihuahuan
Desert region harbored numerous species over the years. The Dromedary Camel of Africa
and the Bactrian Camel of Asia have evolved from the exports of North America.
Likewise, the camels of South America, which we know by such names as Llamas, Alpacas,
and Vicuñas, were seeded from the northern continent. Yet, the local camels, so common
until the end of the last Ice Age, are gone, and few people realize the extent of our
past export trade.
Contributor: Arthur H. Harris, Laboratory for Environmental Biology, Centennial Museum, University of Texas at El Paso.
Desert Diary is a joint production of the Centennial Museum and KTEP National Public Radio at the University of Texas at El Paso.