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The fossil record offers a surprising image: that of evolutionary radiations characterized by intense increases in cash or by the sudden diversification of a single species group, while others stagnate or die out.
In a modern world, science carries an often pessimistic message, surrounded by studies of global warming and its effects, extinction crisis, emerging diseases and invasive species. Events of Increased Biodiversity: Evolutionary Radiations in the Fossil Record fuels frequent "optimism" of the sudden increase in biodiversity by exploring this natural phenomenon.
Events of Increased Biodiversity: Evolutionary Radiations in the Fossil Record explores this natural phenomenon of adaptive radiation including its effect on the increase in biodiversity events, their contribution to the changes and limitations in the fossil record, and examines the links between ecology and paleontology's study of radiation.
Preface
1. A Singular Work of Theater
Abstract
1.1 A unique history
1.2 A story filled with catastrophes and recoveries
1.3 Evolutionary radiations: major phenomena in the history of biodiversity
2. The Fossil Record
Abstract
2.1 A treasure trove of fossils
2.2 From organisms to fossils, and from biocenoses to taphocenoses
2.3 Can the fossil record reveal relevant information?
2.4 Construction and examples of paleontological databases
2.5 Yes, the fossil record can be used to study the history of biodiversity
3. The Phenomenon of Evolutionary Radiation
Abstract
3.1 What is an evolutionary radiation?
3.2 The different categories of evolutionary radiations, and their causes
4. Examples of Evolutionary Radiations
Abstract
4.1 A paleontological bestseller: the Cambrian explosion
4.2 Cascaded radiations: the case of ammonites
4.3 Floral success: the emergence and radiation of flowering plants
4.4 Not-so-round sea urchins!
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index
