Calcareous nannoplankton evolution and diversity through time
Bown, P.R.; Lees, J.A.; Young, J.R. (2004). Calcareous nannoplankton evolution and diversity through time, in: Thierstein, H.R. et al. Coccolithophores: from molecular processes to global impact. pp. 481-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06278-4_18
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| Authors | | Top |
- Bown, P.R.
- Lees, J.A.
- Young, J.R.
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| Abstract |
Planktic microfossils arguably provide the most complete (stratigraphic and taxonomic) record of biodiversity of any group of organisms. The phytoplankton record is of particular significance as it most likely tracks global changes in the climate-ocean system and, in turn, influenced biodiversity and productivity of higher trophic levels of the biosphere. Coccolithophores and associated calcareous nannoplankton first appear in the fossil record in Upper Triassic sediments (~225 Ma) and, despite significant extinctions at the Triassic/Jurassic boundary, the Mesozoic diversity record is one of relatively uniform increase punctuated by short periods of turnover and decline. Rates of speciation that are significantly above background were restricted to the Late Triassic, Early Jurassic and Tithonian-Berriasian intervals. Enhanced rates of extinction occurred at the Triassic/Jurassic, Jurassic/Cretaceous and Cretaceous/Tertiary boundaries. |
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