Two Major Ecological Shifts Shaped 60 Million Years of Ungulate Faunal Evolution

Two major ecological shifts shaped 60 million years of ungulate faunal evolution

The fossil record provides direct evidence for the behavior of biological systems over millions of years, offering a vital source for studying how ecosystems evolved and responded to major environmental changes. Using network analysis on a dataset of over 3000 fossil species spanning the past 60 Myr, we find that ungulate continental assemblages exhibit prolonged ecological stability interrupted by irreversible reorganizations associated with ab…

Ungulate Evolution Shaped by Two Ecological Shifts

A newly published paper postulates that ungulate evolution has been shaped by two major ecological shifts. Tectonic shifts and global climate change have been the drivers of major biota turnover amongst large herbivorous mammals. Ungulates are hoofed mammals.  This extremely diverse clade is subdivided into two orders, the Artiodactyla (even-toed) mammals that walk on two of their five toes and the Perissodactyla (odd-toed) mammals that walk on …

Two Major Events Shaped Herbivores Over 60 Million Years — Yet Their Role

Over the span of 60 million years, vast herds of large herbivores have roamed, transformed, and reshaped Earth’s ecosystems. These creatures, ranging from mastodons and giant deer to ancient rhinoceroses, have played pivotal roles in maintaining ecological balance, sculpting habitats, and influencing the evolutionary trajectories of countless species. A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Gothenburg and published in Na…