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The Fossil Record02:56

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The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...
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Using Archival Japanese Paper and Thermoplastic Resins to Prepare Fossils for Storage, Display, Transport, and Radiography
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Exploring macroevolution using modern and fossil data.

Michael J Benton1

  • 1School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK mike.benton@bristol.ac.uk.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|June 12, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Macroevolutionary research reveals that new fossil discoveries and advanced analytical methods explain the gradual evolution of complex traits. This challenges non-Darwinian models by demonstrating step-by-step development of biodiversity over deep time.

Keywords:
biodiversityevolutionmacroevolutionmorphometricsphylogenetic comparative methods

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Paleontology
  • Biodiversity science

Background:

  • Macroevolutionary patterns in the origin of modern biodiversity are complex and debated.
  • Non-Darwinian models, like macromutations, have been proposed to explain large evolutionary gaps and complex body plans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate macroevolutionary patterns using fossil evidence and modern analytical techniques.
  • To explore the evolution of biodiversity, morphology, and function over geological timescales.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fossil intermediates, particularly between dinosaurs and Archaeopteryx.
  • Application of numerical morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods.
  • Integration of paleontological and biological data.

Main Results:

  • Fossil records demonstrate the piecemeal evolution of complex adaptations, such as avian traits.
  • New fossil finds bridge gaps previously thought to require non-Darwinian explanations.
  • Decoupling of species diversity and morphological diversity is frequently observed.

Conclusions:

  • Macroevolutionary patterns are more intricate than previously assumed.
  • Gradual evolution, supported by fossil evidence and new methods, provides a robust framework for understanding biodiversity origins.
  • Further research is needed to develop new generalizations for macroevolutionary processes.