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Re: Pollen From Permian/Triassic Extinction Show UV Induced Mutations




On Sun, 19 Oct 2003, David Marjanovic wrote:

> ... and why do you assume a priori that a mass
> extinction must be an "ecological event", as opposed to caused by factors
> outside of ecology?

The study of ecology includes anything that affects life, whether from
out-of-town or from outer space.

> (Prey can grow out of highly preyed-upon size classes when) they grow
> as fast as most extant mammals and birds. Such growth speeds
> are rather unexpected for end-Permian fauna. Besides, what could that
> predator be that would have been capable of exterminating itself? (I'm
> talking about the whole globe and not just California, pardon the pun. :-> )

What are the factors that contribute to growth rate?  Parental care,
metabolic improvements...are such new traits off the table when
trying to account for radical changes in speciation?