Global environmental drivers shape Cenozoic neoselachian diversity and identify modern conservation priorities.

ABSTRACT: Sharks, rays and their immediate extinct ancestors (Neoselachii) are some of the ecologically most impactful marine vertebrates. Despite their evolutionary success, the deep-time patterns of neoselachian diversity and turnover as a response to environmental perturbations remain understudied. Past studies have focussed on taxonomic richness while neglecting changes in faunal composition and ecological strategies, limiting our understanding of macroevolutionary resilience and vulnerability of neoselachians. Consequently, the extent to which major Cenozoic environmental shifts affected neoselachian diversity and turnover remain elusive. Here, we present a sampling-standardised analysis of Cenozoic neoselachian genus diversity and faunal composition change, using high-resolution fossil occurre

SUBMITTER: Staggl MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12635402 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature