Abstract
Abstract‘Mass extinctions’ and ‘waves of origination’ are defined as peaks in the average probability of family extinction and origination per geologic stage, respectively. A simple neutral model is proposed, assuming only that the average probabilities of family extinction and origination have varied independently and had equal chances of going up and down from one stage to another. As a null hypothesis, this model is not rejected by the available palaeontologic data on marine animal and nonmarine invertebrate families in the Phanerozoic. The only discrepancy between the model and the empirical pattern is due to a systematic bias introduced by Fossil-Lagerstätten. The alleged periodicity of Late Phanerozoic mass extinctions follows inevitably from the model.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
