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A macroevolutionary pathway to megaherbivory.

Oscar Sanisidro1, Matthew C Mihlbachler2,3, Juan L Cantalapiedra1

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Large mammal body size evolution in early Cenozoic brontotheres was driven by lineage survival, not directional change. Differential species proliferation explains long-term trends in the fossil record.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Mammalian Evolution

Background:

  • Early Cenozoic mammalian lineages show rapid size increases.
  • Hypotheses include gradual change, adaptive zone occupation, and lineage diversification.
  • Brontotheres are key early mammals that evolved massive body sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test hypotheses explaining rapid body size increases in early Cenozoic mammals.
  • To investigate body-mass evolution in the extinct mammal lineage, brontotheres.
  • To understand the drivers of long-term phenotypic trends in the fossil record.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of body-mass evolution in brontotheres.
  • Examining evolutionary changes during speciation events.
  • Assessing the role of lineage survival and diversification potential.

Main Results:

  • Body-mass evolution in brontotheres primarily occurred during speciation.
  • Evolutionary changes in body mass showed no consistent directional preference.
  • Long-term directional trends resulted from increased survival of larger lineages in less competitive environments.
  • Differential species proliferation was a key factor in observed long-term phenotypic trends.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term phenotypic trends in the fossil record are shaped by differential species proliferation, not just microevolutionary changes.
  • Brontothere evolution highlights the importance of lineage survival and diversification in macroevolutionary patterns.
  • The study reframes understanding of mammalian size evolution during the early Cenozoic.