Sea-level changes,facies changes and the late Precambrian—Early cambrian evolutionary explosion |
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| Authors: | MD Brasier |
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| Institution: | Department of Geology, The University, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX Gt. Britain |
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| Abstract: | An explosive increase in the fossil record coincided with a major rise in sea level during latest Precambrian—early Cambrian times. The artefactual and real effects of an onshore—offshore environmental gradient upon taxonomic diversity are considered, with particular reference to 14 fossiliferous sections from around the world. Within-taxon and within-habitat evolution through the early Cambrian are also discussed. The evidence suggests that evolution was a diversity-dependent (i.e. kinetic) growth process, made possible by the colonisation and gradual filling of habitats that were growing both in variety and area. Archaeocyatha diversified rapidly at first but may have suffered later decline and extinction because facies changes in late early Cambrian times reduced their area of habitat. |
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