Diversification trajectories and paleobiogeography of Neogene chondrichthyans from Europe

Author(s)
Jaime A. Villafaña, Marcelo Rivadeneira, Catalina Pimiento, Jürgen Kriwet
Abstract

Despite the rich fossil record of Neogene chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, rays, and skates) from Europe, little is known about the macroevolutionary processes that generated their current diversity and geographical distribution. We compiled 4368 Neogene occurrences comprising 102 genera, 41 families, and 12 orders from four European regions (Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Sea, and Paratethys) and evaluated their diversification trajectories and paleobiogeographic patterns. In all regions analyzed, we found that generic richness increased during the early Miocene, then decreased sharply during the middle Miocene in the Paratethys, and moderately during the late Miocene and Pliocene in the Mediterranean and North Seas. Origination rates display the most significant pulses in the early Miocene in all regions. Extinction rate pulses varied across regions, with the Paratethys displaying the most significant pulses during the late Miocene and the Mediterranean and North Seas during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. Overall, up to 27% and 56% of the European Neogene genera are now globally and regionally extinct, respectively. The observed pulses of origination and extinction in the different regions coincide with warming and cooling events that occurred during the Neogene globally and regionally. Our study reveals complex diversity dynamics of Neogene chondrichthyans from Europe and their distinct biogeographic composition despite the multiple marine passages that connected the different marine regions during this time.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s)
Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Universität Zürich (UZH), Universidad Católica del Norte, Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Universidad de La Serena
Journal
Paleobiology
Volume
49
Pages
329-341
No. of pages
13
ISSN
0094-8373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/pab.2022.40
Publication date
02-2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Palaeontology, Ecology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/ca16d295-8835-444f-9d0e-990096589305