Resolution of the causes and extent of faunal turnover in the past has been complicated by the absence of fossil beds that document such changes over fine time scales. This proposed work will examine temporal change in taxonomic diversification of tetrapods in Late Triassic and Early Jurassic strata of the Newark Supergroup of eastern North America at 20,000-year intervals. By examining three temporally equivalent sets of beds whose fossils occupied different habitats, the principal investigator will document diversification at relatively fine levels and test whether declines of potentially competing non- dinosaurian clades were required for expansion of dinosaur groups. The entire study is intended to provide a basis for global comparisons.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8717707
Program Officer
James E. Rodman
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1988-03-01
Budget End
1990-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
$135,272
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027