2011/04/20 by Graeme T. Lloyd · 8 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2011.0210
openalex publication_date 2011/04/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/08
Modelling has been underdeveloped with respect to constructing palaeobiodiversity curves, but it offers an additional tool for removing sampling from their estimation. Here, an alternative to subsampling approaches, which often require large sample sizes, is explored by the extension and refinement of a pre-existing modelling technique that uses a geological proxy for sampling. Application of the model to the three main clades of dinosaurs suggests that much of their diversity fluctuations cannot be explained by sampling alone. Furthermore, there is new support for a long-term decline in their diversity leading up to the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event. At present, use of this method with data that includes either Lagerstätten or 'Pull of the Recent' biases is inappropriate, although partial solutions are offered.