Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
The Capitanian Extinction
1
Timeline of Events Associated with the Capitanian Extinction
By: Nicole Schoenherr
253 Ma
254 Ma
258 Ma
265 Ma
273 Ma
269 Ma
Roadian
272.95-268.8 million years ago
Occurred right after the Olson Extinction where there was a worldwide loss of vertebrates. Even so, towards the end of this time period the first appearance of fossils of the species Jinogondolella aserrata. This time period preceded the Capitanian. (Wordian Stage, n.d.)
(INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC, n.d.)
Roadian
Wordian
268.8-265.1 million years ago
This period is named after the Wordian Formation located in the Glass Mountains of western Texas in the United States. The beginning of this period is also associated with the appearance of fossils of the species Jinogondolella aserrata. This time period preceded the Capitanian. (Wordian Stage, n.d.)
(INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC, n.d.)
Wordian
Capitanian
265.1-259.1 million years
This is period of time where the Capitanian Extinction event occurred. Specifically it is included in the Paleozoic Era. Carbon isotopes in marine limestone show that there was global cooling.
(INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC, n.d.)
Capitanian
Terrestrial Life
(Botha, 2020)
Effect on Terrestrial Life
Although during this extinction event marine life was mostly affected, there is one major group terrestrial animals which were affected. The Therapsids which include mammals and their early ancestors went extinct during the Capitanian Period. Specifically the Dinocephalia clade went totally extinct. An example is the Botha and the Anteosaurus.
(Anteosaurus, n.d.)
Marine Life
(Ross, n.d.)
Effect on Marine Life
Researchers estimated in 2016 that there was a loss if 33-35% of marine life. One major family which became extinct were the Fusulinacean Foraminifera. These are large single-celled organisms with a thin outer shell. There were also major losses in brachiopods and corals, such as the molluscs which are said to have decreased 62%. An example for extinction of a corral species is the Rugosa shown in the last picture. (Bond et al., 2015, p.2)
(Molluscs, n.d.)
(1.2 Rugose, n.d.)
Causes
Causes
(Mass Extinction, 2015)
Main causes of the extinction event include:
1. temperature rise
Life in marine locations had evolved to lower temperatures and were unable to adjust to the new rise in temperature
2. change in the carbon cycle
Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could have disrupted the biological cycle and caused the ocean to acidify
3. increase in the population of methane producing microbes
This could have contributed to the temperature rise
(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.)
Displays the location and geography of landforms at that time, additionally the area covered by water
Aftermath
After this period there was extensive warming of the atmosphere and the eventually the return of biodiversity. This was shown through appearance of new brachiopod and bivalve taxa and an increased mollusk population. Additionally, during the Capitanian period the landforms were still combined in one major super continent which later split into the continents we have today. (Bond et al., 2015, p. 1)
Wuchiapingian
259.1-254.14 million years ago
During this time period, species began recovering and reappearing on the earth. These mainly include fishes and large mammals. This period occurred after the Caripatian.
(INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC, n.d.)
Wuchiapingian
Changhsingian
254.14-251.902 million years ago
This period is the last stage of the Permian and shown in the diagram. Although this period began with a relatively diverse ecosystem, it ended with the Permian–Triassic extinction event. This event is associated with major global loss in biodiversity. This period occurred after the Capitanian.
(INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC, n.d.)
Changhsingian
References
Sources
Anteosaurus. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/a/anteosaurus.html
Bond, D. P.g., Wignall, P. B., Joachimski, M. M., Sun, Y., Savov, I., Grasby, S. E., Beauchamp, B., & Blomeier, D. P.g. (2015). An abrupt extinction in the middle permian (Capitanian) of the boreal realm (Spitsbergen) and its link to anoxia and acidification. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 127(9-10), 1411-1421. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31216.1
Botha, J. (2020, November 9). Our ancient ancestors the Therapsida. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://nationalmuseumpublications.co.za/our-ancient-ancestors-the-therapsida/
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Permian extinction. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/science/Permian-extinction/Alteration-of-the-carbon-cycle
INTERNATIONAL CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC CHART. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://stratigraphy.org/ICSchart/ChronostratChart2021-10.pdf
Mass Extinction in the Capitanian Age – Monday Map. (2015, April 20). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from http://onemanz.com/blog/mass-extinction-in-the-capitanian-age-monday-map/
Molluscs. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from http://gagostozoology.weebly.com/molluscs.html
Ross, C. A. (n.d.). Fusulinacea. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F3-540-31078-9_63
1.2 Rugose corals (Rugosa). (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/cnidaria/anthozoa/rugosa/
Wordian Stage. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/science/Wordian-Stage