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A kill curve for Phanerozoic marine speciesA kill curve for Phanerozoic species is developed from an analysis of the stratigraphic ranges of 17,621 genera, as compiled by Sepkoski. The kill curve shows that a typical species' risk of extinction varies greatly, with most time intervals being characterized by very low risk. The mean extinction rate of 0.25/m.y. is thus a mixture of long periods of negligible extinction and occasional pulses of much higher rate. Because the kill curve is merely a description of the fossil record, it does not speak directly to the causes of extinction. The kill curve may be useful, however, to li inverted question markmit choices of extinction mechanisms.
Document ID
20040090104
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
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, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Paleobiology
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0094-8373
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1527
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Number 52-40
Non-NASA Center
NASA Program Exobiology
NASA Discipline Exobiology

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