Reefs as cradles of evolution and sources of biodiversity in the Phanerozoic

Kießling W, Simpson C, Foote M (2010)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 327

Pages Range: 196-198

DOI: 10.1126/science.1182241

Abstract

Large-scale biodiversity gradients among environments and habitats are usually attributed to a complex array of ecological and evolutionary factors. We tested the evolutionary component of such gradients by compiling the environments of the geologically oldest occurrences of marine genera and using sampling standardization to assess if originations tended to be clustered in particular environments. Shallow, tropical environments and carbonate substrates all tend to have harbored high origination rates. Diversity within these environments tended to be preferentially generated in reefs, probably because of their habitat complexity. Reefs were also prolific at exporting diversity to other environments, which might be a consequence of low-diversity habitats being more susceptible to invasions.

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How to cite

APA:

Kießling, W., Simpson, C., & Foote, M. (2010). Reefs as cradles of evolution and sources of biodiversity in the Phanerozoic. Science, 327, 196-198. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1182241

MLA:

Kießling, Wolfgang, Carl Simpson, and Michael Foote. "Reefs as cradles of evolution and sources of biodiversity in the Phanerozoic." Science 327 (2010): 196-198.

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