Ecological continuity and transformation after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction in northeastern Panthalassa.

ABSTRACT: The Permo-Triassic mass extinction (PTME) is often implicated in the transition from the Paleozoic evolutionary fauna (PEF) to the modern evolutionary fauna (MEF). However, the exact timing and details of this progression are unknown, especially regarding the vacating and filling of functional ecological space after the PTME. Here, we quantify the functional diversity of middle Permian and Early Triassic marine paleocommunities in the western US to determine functional re-organization in the aftermath of the PTME. Results indicate that while the PTME was selective in nature, many new Triassic taxa either re-filled functional roles of extinct Permian taxa or performed the same functional roles as Permian survivors. Despite this functional overlap, Permian survivors and new Triassic taxa dif

SUBMITTER: Dineen AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6451382 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature