NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Multiple origins of lifeThere is some indication that life may have originated readily under primitive earth conditions. If there were multiple origins of life, the result could have been a polyphyletic biota today. Using simple stochastic models for diversification and extinction, we conclude: (1) the probability of survival of life is low unless there are multiple origins, and (2) given survival of life and given as many as 10 independent origins of life, the odds are that all but one would have gone extinct, yielding the monophyletic biota we have now. The fact of the survival of our particular form of life does not imply that it was unique or superior.
Document ID
19840038238
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Raup, D. M.
(Chicago, University Chicago, IL, United States)
Valentine, J. W.
(California, University Santa Barbara, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings
Volume: 80
ISSN: 0027-8424
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
84A21025
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-73
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available