Oxygenation, life, and the planetary system during Earth's middle history: An overview
The long history of life on Earth has unfolded as a cause-and-effect relationship with the
evolving amount of oxygen (O2) in the oceans and atmosphere. Oxygen deficiency …
evolving amount of oxygen (O2) in the oceans and atmosphere. Oxygen deficiency …
Integrated records of environmental change and evolution challenge the Cambrian Explosion
Abstract The 'Cambrian Explosion'describes the rapid increase in animal diversity and
abundance, as manifest in the fossil record, between~ 540 and 520 million years ago (Ma) …
abundance, as manifest in the fossil record, between~ 540 and 520 million years ago (Ma) …
Sustained increases in atmospheric oxygen and marine productivity in the Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic eras
A geologically rapid Neoproterozoic oxygenation event is commonly linked to the
appearance of marine animal groups in the fossil record. However, there is still debate about …
appearance of marine animal groups in the fossil record. However, there is still debate about …
The rise of algae in Cryogenian oceans and the emergence of animals
The transition from dominant bacterial to eukaryotic marine primary productivity was one of
the most profound ecological revolutions in the Earth's history, reorganizing the distribution …
the most profound ecological revolutions in the Earth's history, reorganizing the distribution …
Calibrating the coevolution of Ediacaran life and environment
The rise of animals occurred during an interval of Earth history that witnessed dynamic
marine redox conditions, potentially rapid plate motions, and uniquely large perturbations to …
marine redox conditions, potentially rapid plate motions, and uniquely large perturbations to …
Extreme variability in atmospheric oxygen levels in the late Precambrian
Map** the history of atmospheric O2 during the late Precambrian is vital for evaluating
potential links to animal evolution. Ancient O2 levels are often inferred from geochemical …
potential links to animal evolution. Ancient O2 levels are often inferred from geochemical …
Extensive marine anoxia during the terminal Ediacaran Period
The terminal Ediacaran Period witnessed the decline of the Ediacara biota (which may have
included many stem-group animals). To test whether oceanic anoxia might have played a …
included many stem-group animals). To test whether oceanic anoxia might have played a …
The timetable of evolution
The integration of fossils, phylogeny, and geochronology has resulted in an increasingly
well-resolved timetable of evolution. Life appears to have taken root before the earliest …
well-resolved timetable of evolution. Life appears to have taken root before the earliest …
Recurrent photic zone euxinia limited ocean oxygenation and animal evolution during the Ediacaran
Abstract The Ediacaran Period (~ 635–539 Ma) is marked by the emergence and
diversification of complex metazoans linked to ocean redox changes, but the processes and …
diversification of complex metazoans linked to ocean redox changes, but the processes and …
Sea level controls on Ediacaran-Cambrian animal radiations
The drivers of Ediacaran-Cambrian metazoan radiations remain unclear, as does the fidelity
of the record. We use a global age framework [580–510 million years (Ma) ago] to estimate …
of the record. We use a global age framework [580–510 million years (Ma) ago] to estimate …