Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T01:06:57.821Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Evolutionary tempo and mode in a sequence of the Upper Cretaceous bivalve Pleuriocardia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

Dana H. Geary*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, 1215 W. Dayton Street, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

Abstract

This study addresses the question of evolutionary tempo and mode in a sequence of Upper Cretaceous bivalves in the genus Pleuriocardia from the Western Interior Basin of North America. Change between species was probably phyletic (without persistence of ancestors). There is some evidence for weak gradual change within the lineage, but most important change is concentrated in short intervals of time. Detailed examination of the differences among samples reveals pronounced geographic variation, whereas temporal variation within localities is generally minor. The relatively rapid episodes of change fit the model of punctuated equilibrium, but the phyletic nature of species-level change does not.

The value of the debate about the punctuated and gradualistic models has been to force a more criticial examination of fossil sequences, but these sequences should not be forced into narrowly defined categories. A variety of evolutionary patterns may exist in the fossil record, and it is this variation in pattern that will inform us of the underlying processes.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Caldwell, W. G. E., ed. 1975. The Cretaceous System in the Western Interior of North America. Geol. Assoc. Can. Spec. Pap. No. 13. 666 pp.Google Scholar
Cheetham, A. H. 1986. Tempo of evolution in a Neogene bryozoan: rates of morphologic change within and across species boundaries. Paleobiology. 12:190202.Google Scholar
Fortey, R. A. 1985. Gradualism and punctuated equilibria as competing and complementary theories. Spec. Pap. Palaeontol. 33:1728.Google Scholar
Geary, D. H. 1981. Evolutionary mode in Pleuriocardia (Cretaceous Bivalvia). Unpubl. M.S. thesis, Univ. of Colorado; Boulder. 132 pp.Google Scholar
Gingerich, P. D. 1985. Species in the fossil record: concepts, trends, and transitions. Paleobiology. 11:2741.Google Scholar
Gould, S. J. 1982. The meaning of punctuated equilibrium and its role in validating a hierarchical approach to macroevolution. Pp. 83104. In: Milkman, R., ed. Perspectives on Evolution. Sinauer Assoc. Inc.; Sunderland, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Gould, S. J. 1985. The paradox of the first tier: an agenda for paleobiology. Paleobiology. 11:212.Google Scholar
Hook, S. C. and Cobban, W. A. 1977. Pycnodonte newberryi (Stanton)—common guide fossil in Upper Cretaceous of New Mexico. Ann. Rep. New Mexico Bur. Mines Min. Res. Pp. 4854.Google Scholar
Hook, S. C. and Cobban, W. A. 1978. Prionocyclus novimexicanus (Marcou)—common Upper Cretaceous guide fossil in New Mexico. Ann. Rep. New Mexico Bur. Mines Min. Res. Pp. 3442.Google Scholar
Kauffman, E. G. 1977a. Geological and biological overview: Western Interior Cretaceous Basin. Mtn. Geol. 14:7599.Google Scholar
Kauffman, E. G. 1977b. Illustrated guide to biostratigraphically important Cretaceous macrofossils, Western Interior Basin. Mtn. Geol. 14:225274.Google Scholar
Lazarus, D. 1986. Tempo and mode of morphologic evolution near the origin of the radiolarian lineage Pterocanium prismatium. Paleobiology. 12:175189.Google Scholar
Love, J. D., Duncan, D. C., Bergquist, H. R., and Hose, R. K. 1948. Stratigraphic sections of Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks in the southeastern part of the Jackson Hole area, N.W. Wyoming. Wyo. Geol. Surv. Bull. 40. 129 pp.Google Scholar
Love, J. D., Hose, R. K., Weitz, J. L., Duncan, D. C., and Bergquist, H. R. 1951. Stratigraphic sections of Cretaceous rocks in northeastern Teton County, Wyoming. U.S. Geol. Surv. Oil and Gas Investigations, Chart OC43 (2 sheets).Google Scholar
Malmgren, B. A, Berggren, W. A., and Lohmann, G. P. 1983. Evidence for punctuated gradualism in the Late Neogene Globorotalia tumida lineage of planktonic foraminifera. Paleobiology. 9:377389.Google Scholar
Malmgren, B. A., Berggren, W. A., and Lohmann, G. P. 1984. Species formation through punctuated gradualism in planktonic foraminifera. Science. 225:317319.Google Scholar
Nie, N. H., Hull, C. H., Jenkins, J. G., Steinbrenner, K., and Bent, D. H. 1975. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. 675 pp. McGraw-Hill Inc.; New York.Google Scholar
Obradovich, J. D. and Cobban, W. A. 1975. A time scale for the Late Cretaceous of the Western Interior of North America. Geol. Assoc. Can. Spec. Pap. 13:3154.Google Scholar
Raup, D. M. and Crick, R. E. 1981. Evolution of single characters in the Jurassic ammonite Kosmoceras. Paleobiology. 7:200215.Google Scholar
Ryer, T. A. 1977a. Coalville and Rockport areas Utah. Mtn. Geol. 14:105128.Google Scholar
Ryer, T. A. 1977b. Patterns of Cretaceous shallow-marine sedimentation, Coalville and Rockport areas, Utah. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 88:177188.Google Scholar
Sokal, R. R. and Rohlf, F. J. 1981. Biometry. 859 pp. W. H. Freeman and Co.; San Francisco, California.Google Scholar
Stanley, S. M. 1985. Rates of evolution. Paleobiology. 11:1326.Google Scholar