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Extinction from a paleontological perspective.

D M Raup1

  • 1Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.

European Review (Chichester, England)
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Species extinction is common over evolutionary timescales but rare in ecological time. Mass extinctions show non-random clustering, with survivors often showing no clear advantage over victims.

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The role of extinction in evolution.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1994

Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Species extinction is a fundamental process in Earth's history.
  • Distinguishing between background and mass extinction events is crucial for understanding biodiversity dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze patterns of species extinction in the fossil record.
  • To investigate the nature of extinction events, including selectivity and randomness.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fossil records to identify extinction patterns.
  • Statistical examination of extinction event clustering.

Main Results:

  • Extinction is common over evolutionary time but rare in ecological time.
  • A continuum exists between background and mass extinction events.
  • Extinction clustering during mass extinctions is not attributable to chance.
  • Survivor superiority over victims is not consistently observed, suggesting random extinction components.

Conclusions:

  • Extinction patterns reveal a complex interplay between background and mass events.
  • The role of chance versus selectivity in extinction requires further investigation.
  • Extinction's impact on evolution, whether constructive or destructive, remains an open question.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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