Climate Change Shaped Mammal Diversity 66 to 23 Million Years Ago
New research reveals that climate change, both global and regional, significantly influenced mammal communities in Central Asia during the Paleogene period.
A study published in Nature Communications shows that climate change significantly impacted mammal diversity in Central Asia between 66 and 23 million years ago. Researchers from Senckenberg and iDiv analyzed fossil findings from Mongolia and China to reconstruct the taxonomic diversity, community composition, and body mass of animals over time.
The Paleogene period was a crucial time for mammal evolution following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The research identified three distinct shifts in Central Asian mammal communities that coincided with major climate events: the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum approximately 56 million years ago, the Eocene-Oligocene transition around 33.9 million years ago, and a regional drying phase during the middle Eocene.
The study indicates that global warming during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum tripled mammal diversity. Subsequent drying and cooling led to a decline in species richness, a decrease in body size, and significant community restructuring.
The regional drying phase was found to have occurred earlier than previously thought and had an impact comparable to major global climate events. The research underscores the importance of considering regional and local factors, such as water availability and atmospheric moisture transport, in understanding current mammal communities and predicting future responses to climate change.