Rainforest collapse triggered Carboniferous tetrapod diversification in Euramerica

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2010 Rainforest collapse triggered Carboniferous tetrapod diversification in Euramerica Sarda Sahney; Sarda Sahney 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael J. Benton; Michael J. Benton 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Howard J. Falcon-Lang Howard J. Falcon-Lang * 2Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK *E-mail: h.falcon-lang@es.rhul.ac.uk. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (12): 1079–1082. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31182.1 Article history received: 03 Mar 2010 rev-recd: 30 Jun 2010 accepted: 01 Jul 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Sarda Sahney, Michael J. Benton, Howard J. Falcon-Lang; Rainforest collapse triggered Carboniferous tetrapod diversification in Euramerica. Geology 2010;; 38 (12): 1079–1082. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31182.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Abrupt collapse of the tropical rainforest biome (Coal Forests) drove rapid diversification of Carboniferous tetrapods (amphibians and reptiles) in Euramerica. This finding is based on analysis of global and alpha diversity databases in a precise geologic context. From Visean to Moscovian time, both diversity measures steadily increased, but following rainforest collapse in earliest Kasimovian time (ca. 305 Ma), tetrapod extinction rate peaked, alpha diversity imploded, and endemism developed for the first time. Analysis of ecological diversity shows that rainforest collapse was also accompanied by acquisition of new feeding strategies (predators, herbivores), consistent with tetrapod adaptation to the effects of habitat fragmentation and resource restriction. Effects on amphibians were particularly devastating, while amniotes ('reptiles') fared better, being ecologically adapted to the drier conditions that followed. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that Coal Forest fragmentation influenced profoundly the ecology and evolution of terrestrial fauna in tropical Euramerica, and illustrate the tight coupling that existed between vegetation, climate, and trophic webs. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.