Evolutionary replacement of ecological equivalents in Late Devonian benthic marine communities

摘要: Abstract Temporal changes in taxonomic diversity, dominance structure, trophic niche and community composition are examined equivalent nearshore offshore Late Devonian benthic marine communities of New York the central Applachians. The study interval spans an approximately 5-m.y. record Frasnian tropical environments. Community structures remain relatively constant during five million year interval, though appear to be more unstable than communities. Considerable change occurs, however, with total replacement dominant spiriferacean brachiopods early by their ecological equivalents late Frasnian. Ecological species affected both communities, does not a function spatial environmental gradients.