The Lost World Hypothesis posits the existence of a haven for remnant animals that have gone extinct elsewhere in the ecosystem. The hypothesis posits that this haven would be in an isolated spot far removed from any external influence. Richard Levine originally believed that the aberrant forms which were washing up on the beaches were indicative of a Lost World that had remained somehow undetected. Malcolm and Levine had previously narrowed down the location of a Lost World to Las Cinco Muertes Island chain off of Costa Rica.
