Understanding the great ordovician biodiversification event (GOBE): influences of paleogeography, paleoclimate, or paleoecology

Servais, T., Harper, D.A.T., Munnecke, A., Owen, A.W. and Sheehan, P.M. (2009) Understanding the great ordovician biodiversification event (GOBE): influences of paleogeography, paleoclimate, or paleoecology. GSA Today, 19(4), pp. 4-10. (doi: 10.1130/GSATG37A.1)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/GSATG37A.1

Abstract

"The Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event" (GOBE) was arguably the most important and sustained increase of marine biodiversity in Earth's history. During a short time span of 25 Ma, an "explosion" of diversity at the order, family, genus, and species level occurred. The combined effects of several geological and biological processes helped generate the GOBE. The peak of the GOBE correlates with unique paleogeography, featuring the greatest continental dispersal of the Paleozoic. Rapid sea-floor spreading during this time coincided with warm climates, high sea levels, and the largest tropical shelf area of the Phanerozoic. In addition, important ecological evolutionary changes took place, with the "explosion" of both zooplankton and suspension feeding organisms, possibly based on increased phytoplankton availability and high nutrient input to the oceans driven by intense volcanic activity. Extraterrestrial causes, in the form of asteroid impacts, have also been invoked to explain this remarkable event.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Owen, Dr Alan
Authors: Servais, T., Harper, D.A.T., Munnecke, A., Owen, A.W., and Sheehan, P.M.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:GSA Today
ISSN:1052-5173
ISSN (Online):1943-2690

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