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Extinction from a paleontological perspectiveExtinction of widespread species is common in evolutionary time (millions of years) but rare in ecological time (hundreds or thousands of years). In the fossil record, there appears to be a smooth continuum between background and mass extinction; and the clustering of extinctions at mass extinctions cannot be explained by the chance coincidence of independent events. Although some extinction is selective, much is apparently random in that survivors have no recognizable superiority over victims. Extinction certainly plays an important role in evolution, but whether it is constructive or destructive has not yet been determined.
Document ID
20040089553
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Raup, D. M.
(University of Chicago Illinois 60637, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: European review (Chichester, England)
Volume: 1
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1062-7987
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Review
Review, Tutorial
NASA Discipline Exobiology
Non-NASA Center

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