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Taxonomic and environmental stability in the paleozoic
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 21, 1973
Summary
Paleontological data reveal no link between environmental stress and the duration of ancient marine invertebrate genera. This finding contrasts with fossil community studies but aligns with research on modern species.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Marine Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Previous studies suggested environmental stress influences species longevity.
- Fossil community lineages have been interpreted to support this hypothesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between environmental stress and genus duration in Paleozoic marine benthic macroinvertebrates.
- To reconcile paleontological evidence with genetic and physiological data from extant taxa.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of available paleontological data.
- Examination of genus duration in relation to proximity to ancient shorelines as a proxy for environmental stress.
Main Results:
- No correlation was found between environmental stress (proximity to ancient shoreline) and the duration of marine benthic macroinvertebrate genera during the Paleozoic.
- This result contradicts inferences drawn from fossil community lineages.
Conclusions:
- Paleontological data do not support the hypothesis that environmental stress drives genus duration in ancient marine invertebrates.
- Findings are consistent with genetic and physiological data from living marine taxa, suggesting conserved mechanisms of resilience or extinction.
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