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Cited by 74Evolution and Paleontology StudiesEvolution and Genetic DynamicsPaleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils

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On Escalation

Vermeij, Geerat J.·2013·Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
DOI 10.1146/annurev-earth-050212-124123
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Abstract

Organisms have been important agents of selection throughout the history of life. The processes and outcomes of this selection are the subject of this review. Among these, escalation is the most widespread. The primary selective agents are powerful competitors and consumers, which together push many populations toward higher performance in acquiring and defending resources while relegating less competitive species to physiologically marginal settings, where escalation also ensues. The extent to which performance standards rise depends on enabling factors, which control availability of and access to resources. By establishing positive feedbacks between species and enabling factors, effective competitors regulate and enhance resource supply. The pace of escalation toward greater power and reach is dictated by geological factors as well as by growing interdependencies between species and their resources. Evolutionary events on land related to the production of oxygen may have been instrumental in triggering the major episodes of escalation.

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  • Reciprocal feedbacks between the two main groups of jawed metazoans and invertebrate prey were an important evolutionary feedback loop of the Middle Palaeozoic.

    “Reciprocal feedbacks between the two main groups of jawed metazoans and invertebrate prey are here suggested to have been an important evolutionary feedback loop of the Middle Palaeozoic (Brett & Walker 2002, Vermeij 2013).”

    From Palaeozoic evolution of animal mouthparts (2017) · cites this paper as Vermeij 2013

  • The evolution of enhanced defensive structures potentially caused a positive selection for reinforced jaws in the other group (reciprocal selection).

    “In turn, the evolution of enhanced defensive structures potentially caused a positive selection for reinforced jaws in the other group (reciprocal selection; Vermeij 2013).”

    From Palaeozoic evolution of animal mouthparts (2017) · cites this paper as Vermeij 2013

  • A Cambrian arms race is typically discussed on a macroevolutionary scale, particularly in the context of escalation.

    “A Cambrian arms race is typically discussed on a macroevolutionary scale, particularly in the context of escalation.”

    From Adaptive responses in Cambrian predator and prey highlight the arms race during the rise of animals (2025) · cites this paper as [27]

  • Escalation posits that predators are the main natural selection agents of prey, but generally not vice versa, making selection pressures asymmetric.

    “The former posits that predators are the main natural selection agents of prey, but generally not vice versa, making selection pressures asymmetric.”

    From Adaptive responses in Cambrian predator and prey highlight the arms race during the rise of animals (2025) · cites this paper as [27]

  • When viewed in isolation (or an "ecological vacuum"), these data could support coevolution.

    “When viewed in isolation (or an “ecological vacuum”), these data could support coevolution.”

    From Adaptive responses in Cambrian predator and prey highlight the arms race during the rise of animals (2025) · cites this paper as [27]

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Metadata

Authors
Vermeij, G. J.
Affiliations
University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author
Vermeij, Geerat J.
ORCID
Vermeij, Geerat J.
Venue
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2013-05-30
Volume
41
Issue
1
Pages
1-19
ISSN
  • 0084-6597 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4495
DOI
10.1146/annurev-earth-050212-124123
OpenAlex
W4242724924
Cited by
74
References
120
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5
FWCI
0.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
Keywords
escalation, natural selection, competition (biology), predation, resource acquisition, resource defense, positive feedback, enabling factors, resource availability, atmospheric oxygenation, evolutionary history

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