Maldives is a nation formed from 26 islands more than 2,000 km off the coast of India. The islands of Maldives formed from the organic material of dead coral that has been pushed up to
the surface due to geologic changes. While land species are rare, there are mammals, lizards, and
birds that live on the islands of Maldives. These animals are similar to organisms found across
southern Asia. What best explains the existence of these animals in Maldives?