Palaeobiogeography and the Ordovician and Mesozoic-Cenozoic biotic radiations

Owen, A.W.; Crame, J.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5027-9965. 2002 Palaeobiogeography and the Ordovician and Mesozoic-Cenozoic biotic radiations. In: Crame, J.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5027-9965; Owen, A.W., (eds.) Palaeobiogeography and biodiversity change: the Ordovician and Mesozoic-Cenozoic radiations. London, Geological Society of London, 1-11. (Geological Society Special Publication, 194).

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Abstract/Summary

Curves of taxonomic diversity through geological time consistently show major evolutionary radiations during the Ordovician Period and from the mid-Mesozoic to the present day. Both intervals were characterized by marked biotic provincialism, reflecting episodes of major continental break-up and global tectonism, and their later histories featured steep global climatic gradients. The Ordovician radiation can be recognized at a wide spectrum of taxonomic levels from species to class, and the biogeographical patterns associated with the radiation of individual clades reflect a complex combination of plate distribution, tectonic activity, sedimentary environment, sea-level rise and, ultimately, glaciation. The true scale of the mid-Mesozoic-Cenozoic biotic radiation is currently a topic of intense debate but there is no doubt that it affected plants and animals in both the marine and terrestrial realms. The role of land bridges and ocean gateways in controlling the formation of biodiversity patterns has been a persistent theme in Mesozoic-Cenozoic biogeography, and a complex set of Neogene tectonic events probably aided the development of both latitudinal and longitudinal provinces during the Cenozoic. The present volume highlights some of the successes across a spectrum of approaches to unravelling the Ordovician and Mesozoic-Cenozoic radiations within the context of palaeobiogeography.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Antarctic Biodiversity - Past, Present and Future
ISBN:	1-86239-106-8
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Earth Sciences
Date made live:	13 Mar 2012 15:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13606

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Antarctic Biodiversity - Past, Present and Future

ISBN:

1-86239-106-8

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Earth Sciences

Date made live:

13 Mar 2012 15:37 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13606