Evaluating the ecological architecture of major events in the Phanerozoic history of marine invertebrate life

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 1997 Evaluating the ecological architecture of major events in the Phanerozoic history of marine invertebrate life Mary L. Droser; Mary L. Droser 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David J. Bottjer; David J. Bottjer 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0740 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter M. Sheehan Peter M. Sheehan 3Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1997) 25 (2): 167–170. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0167:ETEAOM>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Mary L. Droser, David J. Bottjer, Peter M. Sheehan; Evaluating the ecological architecture of major events in the Phanerozoic history of marine invertebrate life. Geology 1997;; 25 (2): 167–170. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0167:ETEAOM>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleoecological changes associated with Phanerozoic mass extinctions and radiations can be categorized into four nonhierarchical, nonadditive levels. First-level changes include colonization of a new ecosystem. Structural changes within an established ecosystem represent the second level, changes within an already established ecological structure are the third-level, and taxonomic changes within a community represent the fourth-level. Applying these levels to the Ordovician radiation, end-Ordovician extinction and Silurian recovery, as well as the end-Permian extinction and Triassic recovery demonstrate that paleoecological changes associated with these major events can be evaluated and compared in a more rigorous manner than previously done. Results of this analysis demonstrate that use of these levels indicates that the relative magnitude of an event as measured by taxonomic criteria may be decoupled from its paleoecological significance. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.