Covariation in macrostratigraphic and macroevolutionary patterns in the marine record of North America

摘要: Students of Earth history have long recog- nized the correlation between quantity preserved sedimentary rock and diversity life recorded as fossils. But paleontologists yet to determine whether this pattern refl ects a causal relationship or unidirec- tional sampling bias in fossil data imposed by quantity. Distinguishing these two alternatives has been com- plicated fact that many basic patterns paleontologic lithologic co- variation be quantifi ed rigorously. Here we present fi rst analyses macrostratigraphic macroevolutionary histories North America based on geographically tem- porally explicit co-occurrences rocks The use independent quan- titative summaries stratigraphic records integrating Paleobiology Database (PaleoDB) Macrostrat, mac- rostratigraphy database for America, which allows more direct comparison biological continent than heretofore possible. Within Macrostrat database, re- cord is divided into discrete packages sedi- ment are bound hiatuses resolvable at stage-level. Using per interval, pack- age rates sediment package initiation truncation, genus last appear- ances (herein regional origination extinc- tion), fia substantially stronger positive sediments biology extinction-like parameters do origination-like parameters. Four largest coincident pulses tion truncation occur during widely recognized end-Ordovician, late Permian, end-Triassic, end-Cretaceous mass extinction intervals. A further compari- son global ranges American genera macrostratigra- phy indicates likely oc- cur same stage originations. Together, results suggest our general understanding biodiversity dynamics from record may not strongly biased preserva- leaves open pos- sibility certain large perturbations system responsible major changes state both systems.