Topsy-turvy evolution (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, July 31, 2013, 15:38 (4134 days ago)

The usual assumption is that species start out simple and become more diverse in variety and more complex. This fossil study shows the opposite. As in the Cambrian diversity and complexity are at the beginning and the selection sorts things out.:-http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/24/1302642110-Look at these diagrams:-http://phys.org/news/2013-07-scientific-evolution.html#jCp-"Contrary to popular belief, not all animal groups continued to evolve fundamentally new morphologies through time. The majority actually achieved their greatest diversity of form (disparity) relatively early in their histories.
 
Lead researcher from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Dr Matthew Wills said: "This pattern, known as 'early high disparity', turns the traditional V-shaped cone model of evolution on its head."