Ben Creisler
New papers:
Free pdf:
T. R. Lyson, I. M. Miller, A. D. Bercovici, K. Weissenburger, A. J. Fuentes, W. C. Clyde, J. W. Hagadorn, M. J. Butrim, K. R. Johnson, R. F. Fleming, R. S. Barclay, S. A. Maccracken, B. Lloyd, G. P. Wilson, D. W. Krause & S. G. B. Chester (2019)
Exceptional continental record of biotic recovery after the CretaceousâPaleogene mass extinction.
Science: eaay2268 (advance online publication)
DOI: 10.1126/science.aay2268
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2019/10/23/science.aay2268
We report a time-calibrated stratigraphic section in Colorado that contains unusually complete fossils of mammals, reptiles, and plants, and elucidates the drivers and tempo of biotic recovery during the poorly known first million years after the CretaceousâPaleogene mass extinction (KPgE). Within ~100 thousand years (ka) post-KPgE, mammalian taxonomic richness doubled and maximum mammalian body mass increased to near pre-KPgE levels. A three-fold increase in maximum mammalian body mass and dietary niche specialization occurred at ~300 ka post-KPgE, concomitant with increased megafloral standing species richness. The appearance of additional large mammals occurred by ~700 ka post-KPgE, coincident with the first appearance of Leguminosae (bean family). These concurrent plant and mammal originations and body mass shifts coincide with warming intervals, suggesting climate influenced post-KPgE biotic recovery.
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Elizabeth Pennisi (2019)
How life blossomed after the dinosaurs died.
Science 366(6464): 409
DOI: 10.1126/science.366.6464.409
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6464/409Researchers have discovered that Corral Bluffs, 100 kilometers from Denver, provides a well-dated fossil treasure trove that has revealed how life recovered from the impact of a giant asteroid 66 million years ago. Unlike many fossil sites from the era just after the dinosaurs went extinct, Corral Bluffs' marine shale preserves a complete plant, animal, and environmental record. The team was able to establish high-resolution dating of the layers there, using pollen to pinpoint when the asteroid hit and other methods to establish key timepoints. At first, ferns and animals no bigger than 6 kilograms dominated that landscape, but by 100,000 years later, palms had taken over and mammals were twice as big and more diverse. This trend continued, fueled by the rise of new kinds of plants and particularly by the appearance of protein-rich legumes. The findings will help researchers understand what may happen with the mass extinction that may be going on right now.
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News:
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On a related topic, NOVA on PBS television next week is
The Rise of Mammals
Premiering 30 October 2019 on PBS at 9 pm ETÂÂ
Preview
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On YouTube:
Elusive Mammal Fossil Discovery Paints Timeline of Life after Dinosaurs DiedÂ
Rise of the Mammals I PreviewÂ
Rise of the Mammals I Prologue
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Review:
We live in the Age of Mammals, yet warm-blooded beasts are still overshadowed by dinosaurs. But a new NOVA documentaryâ"Rise of the Mammals"âseeks to change that and, in the process, offers viewers a window into paleontology beyond bone hunting.
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