Cyclic Radiations and Shape Macroevolution of Planktonic Foraminifera

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

How is morphospace filled during a radiation and are there rules for diversification? We compare patterns of morphospace occupation and species longevity between three radiations of planktonic foraminifera to determine the predictability of these patterns. First we ask whether shape groups are discrete entities in foraminifera. Then we examine the extent to which shape membership predicts species longevity in each of the major radiations of this group. Finally, we investigate how morphospace is filled during the radiations and compare each cycle of diversification with the others to detect common patterns. The strengths of this study lie in our ability to compare macroevolutionary patterns between radiations to determine the stability and objectivity of these patterns. In so doing, we can determine whether bauplan diversity is regulated more by events particular to each radiation or by long-term processes that change little between evolutionary cycles.