Sulawesi (Celebes): faunistisch en geologisch ontmoetingspunt der aardschollen

The recent fauna of Sulawesi (Celebes) is strongly endemic. This is due to the long isolation of the island without the existance of landbridges. Despite its endemic character the fauna is relatively rich in species due to the large surface area of the island. A fossil Pliocene or Pleistocene fauna is known from a number of localities situated in the southwestern peninsula of the island. This endemic fauna is poor in species and differs much with regard to the recent fauna. This fossil fauna probably evolved under isolated circumstances, when the southwestern part of Sulawesi was separated from the remaining part of Sulawesi by a sea strait. Only four fossil mammals are known from this islandfauna: Celebochoerus heekereni, an endemic pig, and three proboscideans, Elephas celebensis, Stegodon sompoensis and Stegodon ct. trigonocephaly. E. celebensis and S. sompoensis are dwarfforms. All these fossil species have become extinct.