Darwin's dilemma: the realities of the Cambrian 'explosion'

摘要: The Cambrian ‘explosion’ is widely regarded as one of the fulcrum points in history life, yet its origins and causes remain deeply controversial. New data from fossil record, especially Burgess Shale-type Lagerstatten, indicate, however, that assembly bodyplans not only largely a phenomenon, but can already be documented fair detail. This speaks against much more ancient origin metazoans, current work doing to reconcile apparent discrepancies between including Ediacaran assemblages latest Neoproterozoic age molecular ‘clocks’. Hypotheses explain continue generated, recurrent confusion cause effect suggests wrong sort question being asked. Here I propose despite step-like function this evolutionary event inevitable consequence Earth biospheric change.