Paper No. 5-0
A CLOSE LOOK AT HOW TWO FOSSIL GROUPS FARED OVER A SHORT INTERVAL OF TIME
BONUSO, Nicole, Earth Sciences Department, Univ of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, nbonuso@earth.usc.edu and NEWTON, Cathryn R., Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse Univ, 204 Heroy Geological Laboratory, Syracuse, NY 13244

A compilation of species abundances within a relatively consistent chronostratigraphic framework is used to examine Middle Devonian fossil groups through time. We chose to scrutinize predetermined, recurring biofacies that, in theory, inherently favor coordinated stasis. Fossil groups are predetermined from hierarchical clustering throughout within an 11-meter outcrop of Central New York. Five groups cluster out, two of which are brachiopod dominated and recur throughout the section (i.e., Devonochonetes cluster and Longispina cluster). Samples within these recurring groups are tested separately for taxonomic stability through time using ANOSIM -- analysis of similarity. When comparing samples within Devonochonetes cluster through time, results indicate younger samples differ significantly from older samples (p < 0.1). Likewise, when comparing Longispina cluster samples, results reflect taxonomic change through time (p < 0.1). Although the type of comparison used should produce evidence for coordinated stasis, we do not find evidence to suggest stability within these predetermined biofacies.

GSA Annual Meeting, November 5-8, 2001
General Information for this Meeting
Session No. 5--Booth# 56
Marine Paleontology (Posters)
Hynes Convention Center: Hall D
8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, November 5, 2001
 

© Copyright 2001 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.