Popcorn-like fossils provide evidence of environmental impacts on species numbers
Friday, June 10, 2016 - 12:01
in Paleontology & Archaeology
The number of species that can exist on Earth depends on how the environment changes, according to new research By analyzing the fossil record of microscopic aquatic creatures called planktonic foraminifera, whose fossil remains now resemble miniaturized popcorn and date back millions of years, the research provided the first statistical evidence that environmental changes put a cap on species richness.