Island gigantism
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Island gigantism, or insular gigantism, is a biological phenomenon in which the size of an animal species isolated on an island increases dramatically in comparison to its mainland relatives. Island g
Size comparison of the giant gymnure/moonrat (a type of insectivore closely related to hedgehogs) Deinogalerix from the Late Miocene of Gargano, Italy, next to the related European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
Leithia melitensis
Hoplomys gymnurus 2
Hattomys gargantua Naturalis
Foster's rule
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Foster's rule, also known as the island rule or the island effect, is an ecogeographical rule in evolutionary biology stating that members of a species get smaller or bigger depending on the resources
Island gigantism
…animal species isolated on an island increases dramatically in comparison to its mainland relatives. Island gigantism is one aspect of the more general "island effect" or "Foster's rule", which posits that when mainland animals colonize islands, small species tend to evolve larger bodies, and large species tend to evolve smaller bodies…
Garganornis ballmanni, a very large fossil goose from the Gargano and Scontrone islands of the Late Miocene