The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience
The modern diversity of sharks, skates, and rays (Neoselachii) is the result of various diversification and extinction events during the Mesozoic (252–66 Ma). However, the key drivers of their diversity patterns remain poorly understood despite all the progress that has been accomplished in recent y...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/2/142 |
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| author | Manuel Andreas Staggl Carlos De Gracia Faviel A. López-Romero Sebastian Stumpf Eduardo Villalobos-Segura Michael J. Benton Jürgen Kriwet |
| author_facet | Manuel Andreas Staggl Carlos De Gracia Faviel A. López-Romero Sebastian Stumpf Eduardo Villalobos-Segura Michael J. Benton Jürgen Kriwet |
| author_sort | Manuel Andreas Staggl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The modern diversity of sharks, skates, and rays (Neoselachii) is the result of various diversification and extinction events during the Mesozoic (252–66 Ma). However, the key drivers of their diversity patterns remain poorly understood despite all the progress that has been accomplished in recent years. Here, we show that the interplay of climatic- and tectonic-linked trajectories, resulting in a high shallow marine habitat availability and lower atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, were significant drivers and sustainers of Mesozoic neoselachian diversity. We show, for the first time, that higher atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> content negatively affected neoselachian diversity in the past. The recognized gradual faunal changes throughout the Mesozoic and the two major diversification events during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, respectively, ultimately cumulated in an all-time diversity high in the Palaeogene despite the events during the end-Cretaceous extinction event, highlighting their remarkable resilience and adaptability despite severe environmental challenges. We thus provide novel perspectives on the processes underlying neoselachian diversification since the Mesozoic that contribute importantly to a better understanding of the selective forces that have shaped the long-term evolution and diversification of neoselachians. Given their vital role in modern ecosystems, our results provide information about possible future trends in the face of the current climate crisis. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:16:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3734a7a1536247a9abe1ea0e939582f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:16:25Z |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3734a7a1536247a9abe1ea0e939582f12025-02-25T13:14:20ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-01-0114214210.3390/biology14020142The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and ResilienceManuel Andreas Staggl0Carlos De Gracia1Faviel A. López-Romero2Sebastian Stumpf3Eduardo Villalobos-Segura4Michael J. Benton5Jürgen Kriwet6Department of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama 0824, PanamaEvoDevo Research Group, Unidad de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Puerto Morelos 77580, Quintana Roo, MexicoDepartment of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, AustriaSchool of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UKDepartment of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, AustriaThe modern diversity of sharks, skates, and rays (Neoselachii) is the result of various diversification and extinction events during the Mesozoic (252–66 Ma). However, the key drivers of their diversity patterns remain poorly understood despite all the progress that has been accomplished in recent years. Here, we show that the interplay of climatic- and tectonic-linked trajectories, resulting in a high shallow marine habitat availability and lower atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, were significant drivers and sustainers of Mesozoic neoselachian diversity. We show, for the first time, that higher atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> content negatively affected neoselachian diversity in the past. The recognized gradual faunal changes throughout the Mesozoic and the two major diversification events during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, respectively, ultimately cumulated in an all-time diversity high in the Palaeogene despite the events during the end-Cretaceous extinction event, highlighting their remarkable resilience and adaptability despite severe environmental challenges. We thus provide novel perspectives on the processes underlying neoselachian diversification since the Mesozoic that contribute importantly to a better understanding of the selective forces that have shaped the long-term evolution and diversification of neoselachians. Given their vital role in modern ecosystems, our results provide information about possible future trends in the face of the current climate crisis.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/2/142environmental factorsevolutionsharksraysskatesdiversity |
| spellingShingle | Manuel Andreas Staggl Carlos De Gracia Faviel A. López-Romero Sebastian Stumpf Eduardo Villalobos-Segura Michael J. Benton Jürgen Kriwet The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience Biology environmental factors evolution sharks rays skates diversity |
| title | The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience |
| title_full | The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience |
| title_fullStr | The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience |
| title_short | The Drivers of Mesozoic Neoselachian Success and Resilience |
| title_sort | drivers of mesozoic neoselachian success and resilience |
| topic | environmental factors evolution sharks rays skates diversity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/2/142 |
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