COSEE Ocean Systems: News
When Clams Ruled the World
Description: Paleobiologist Studies How Elevated carbon dioxide Affected Ancient Marine Life: Before the worst mass extinction of life in Earth's history - 252 million years ago - ocean life was diverse and clam-like organisms called brachiopods dominated. After the calamity, when little else existed, a different kind of clam-like organism, called a bivalve, took over. A new theory about how ancient life on Earth responded to elevated CO2 levels may change the way scientists view one of the largest mass extinctions in history. The theory could also yield clues about the future of present day life on our planet in the face of climate change. [Source: (Sep 07, 2007) Astrobiology MagazineBased on a University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee news release]
URL: http://www.astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2452&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Availability: Full Text
Source: Astrobiology Magazine
Publish Date: 10/30/2007
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

<< BACK