Tag

Fossilrecord

All articles tagged with #fossilrecord

science6 days ago•4 min saved

New Evolution Model Could Rewrite Earth's Life Timeline

Researchers Budd and Mann propose the Covariant Evolutionary Tempo model, which allows evolutionary rates to vary and accelerate during major diversification, potentially resolving the mismatch between fossil records and genetic timelines. If correct, many modern species may descend from ancestors that evolved rapidly in bursts, challenging the idea of a steady molecular clock. The concept, which could explain a roughly 30-million-year discrepancy, is yet untested but prompts a major reevaluation of when key lifeforms appeared.

via Indian Defence Review|

#covariantevolutionarytempo #evolution #fossilrecord

science-and-environment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unveiling the Ancient Roots: Discovery of the World's Oldest Forest"

Scientists have discovered the world's oldest known forest in Cairo, upstate New York, dating back approximately 386 million years. The forest, which extends over 400 kilometers, was mapped by a team from Binghamton University, New York State Museum, and Cardiff University. It features early plant species such as cladoxylopsids and Achaeopteris trees, as well as an unidentified tree type, all of which reproduced via spores. This discovery provides significant insights into the early ecology of forests and their role in carbon dioxide absorption, marking a pivotal point in Earth's transition to a forested planet.

via indy100|

##ancientforests #biodiversity