Impact Tectonics and Transition Zones: The Caribbean

We discuss the general characteristics of the Caribbean biota and identify and describe the different areas of endemism within the Caribbean. The tectonic history of the Caribbean Large Igneous Province (CLIP), which forms the core of the modern Caribbean Plate, is detailed from its genesis in the Late Cretaceous to the present day. We base our analysis on Pacific models that postulate its formation over the Galapagos hotspot in the Pacific and its subsequent translation eastwards to its present position. We use published molecular phylogenies to produce a general areagram to show the hierarchical relationship between Caribbean areas of endemism. This analysis identifies two clades with the Greater Antilles more closely related to the Bahama Banks/Florida, which in turn are sister areas to Central America and part of a North American clade, while the Lesser Antilles are more closely related to South America. We interpret this pattern in terms of biotectonic processes.