The origin of tetrapod herbivory: effects on local plant diversity.

ABSTRACT: The origin of herbivory in the Carboniferous was a landmark event in the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems, increasing ecological diversity in animals but also giving them greater influence on the evolution of land plants. We evaluate the effect of early vertebrate herbivory on plant evolution by comparing local species richness of plant palaeofloras with that of vertebrate herbivores and herbivore body size. Vertebrate herbivores became diverse and achieved a much greater range of body sizes across the Carboniferous-Permian transition interval. This coincides with an abrupt reduction in local plant richness that persists throughout the Permian. Time-series regression analysis supports a negative relationship of plant richness with herbivore richness but a positive relationship of plant

SUBMITTER: Brocklehurst N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7341937 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature