In light of some of the comments on the completeness of the record and
preservation potential, may I suggest that Foote and Raup's article in
Paleobiology of this spring 11(2):121-140 entitled Fossil preservation
and the stratigraphic ranges of taxa - might lead to some
interesting discussion.
This is not my area of expertise and I am weak on the math side, but I
was cleaning off a pile and noticed that this article went right to some
of the issues that we have been discussing. I for one would like to
know the reaction of anyone who has read the article. Does it make
sense? Paleobiology is quite easy to read by the way. Just to tweak
your interest (the abstract - see I read some of it) suggests that the
"shorter geologic ranges of mammalian species relative to this of
bivalves cannot be attributed to a difference in preservation potential.
However, .. "
Copy to my paleontology class.
-- :James F. Mahaffy e-mail: mahaffy@dordt.eduBiology Department phone: 712 722-6279Dordt College FAX 712 722-1198Sioux Center, Iowa 51250