Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This study attempts to analyze how the dramatic climatic events through out the Paleogene affected various aspects of Venericardia. Venericardia are a genus of benthic bivalves that were abundant during the Paleogene. Sampling of this genus is greatest in the United States Gulf Coastal Plain, leading to a more detailed analysis of venericard response to climate change in the U.S. than other known locations. Changes in venericard diversity, geographic distribution and geographic area were observed and compared to changes in the paleoclimate, specifically temperature and sea level. More than 250 species contributed to this study, in greater than 800 individual occurrences. Diversity was quantified using the Boundary-Crosser Method. Two venericard forms, alticostate and planicostate, were compared to each other for each of the three aspects of the study as well. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between diversity of all venericard species and temperature, with a two million year time lag. Data regarding location and stratigraphic age were collected from monographs and the Paleobiology Database, and latitude and longitude were converted to paleolatitude and paleolongitude in order to observe venericard distribution as it was during the Paleogene. This was done by plotting paleolatitude and paleolongitude for individual time bins on a map using GIS. Distribution and area could then be studied for changes through out the Paleogene. There was no correlation between species diversity and geographic area. This study is significant for understanding the changes so many organisms face today. The climate of the Paleogene is similar to what we are experiencing from modern climate change, which will only continue to worsen.

Date Awarded

2010

Department

Geology

Advisor 1

Rowan Lockwood

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