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Continental Drift is the principle that the continent landmasses have not remained in fixed positions, but have moved around the earth's surface apparently independently. It is important in evolution because of the effects it has had on evolution and taxonomic diversity, brought about by the collision and moving apart of landmasses. The drifting apart of land masses brings about vicariance, where organisms are split up by the development of barriers, isolating descendent populations which then …

…and brachiopods also crossed. This was achieved by their swimming larval forms, which allow dispersal. In conclusion, it appears continental drift has had a far-reaching affect on the patterns of evolution among organisms. Marine species have had obvious effects by opening and closing of oceans, such as Iapetus. Changes in climate as the continents moved have created opportunity for species diversity, and continental collision, new habitats and natural barriers, which encouraged vicariance and allopatric speciation.