High Preservation Potential of Paleogeographic Range Size Distributions in Deep Time.

High Preservation Potential of Paleogeographic Range Size Distributions in Deep Time.
Am Nat. 2020 Oct;196(4):454-471
Authors: Darroch SAF, Casey MM, Antell GS, Sweeney A, Saupe EE
Abstract
AbstractReconstructing geographic range sizes from fossil data is a crucial tool in paleoecology, elucidating macroecological and macroevolutionary processes. Studies examining links between range size and extinction risk may also offer a predictive tool for identifying species most vulnerable in the "sixth mass extinction." However, the extent to which paleogeographic ranges can be recorded reliably in the fossil record is unknown. We perform simulation-based extinction experiments to examine (1) the fidelity of paleogeographic range size preservation in deep time, (2) the relative performance of different methods for reconstructing range size, and (3) the reliability of detecting patterns of extinction "selectivity" on range size. Our results suggest both that relative paleogeographic range size can be consistently reconstructed and that selectivity patterns on range size can be preserved under many extinction intensities, even when sedimentary rocks are scarce. By identifying patterns of selectivity across Earth's history, paleontologists can thus augment neontological work that aims to predict and prevent extinctions of living species. Last, we find that introducing "false extinctions" in the fossil record can produce spurious range-selectivit...

Source: The American Naturalist - September 26, 2020 Category: Biology Authors: Darroch SAF, Casey MM, Antell GS, Sweeney A, Saupe EE Tags: Am Nat Source Type: research