The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is a crucial time interval for the evolution of animal life on Earth. Throughout this interval new ecosystems formed and novel bodyplans proliferated. At the end of the Ediacaran there was a significant extinction event, though some forms including tubular fossils and acritarchs survived into the Phanerozoic. Substantial environmental and geological change also occurred during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, including, possibly, increasing oxygen levels, along with other chemical changes in the oceans. All of these events were accompanied by the proliferation of metazoan phyla in the early Cambrian, which were at least partially triggered by the significant environmental and geological changes at the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, but in turn themselves influenced sedimentary environments and ocean chemistry.
Though a large number of studies of the biotic and abiotic changes, and their relationship, during this interval have been conducted, questions remain and new data are continually being gathered. Thus, here we call for more studies with the purpose of expanding understanding of this key time period in the history of life and its environmental and geological context.
In this Research Topic we welcome palaeontological studies pertaining to the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition including work in the area of systematics, biostratigraphy, taphonomy, biomineralogy, phylogenetics, palaeoecology and macroevolution. We also welcome relevant palaeoenvironmental and geological studies including work in the area of sedimentology, geochemistry, geochronology, biogeochemistry, palaeoceanography, and palaeogeography.
The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is a crucial time interval for the evolution of animal life on Earth. Throughout this interval new ecosystems formed and novel bodyplans proliferated. At the end of the Ediacaran there was a significant extinction event, though some forms including tubular fossils and acritarchs survived into the Phanerozoic. Substantial environmental and geological change also occurred during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, including, possibly, increasing oxygen levels, along with other chemical changes in the oceans. All of these events were accompanied by the proliferation of metazoan phyla in the early Cambrian, which were at least partially triggered by the significant environmental and geological changes at the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, but in turn themselves influenced sedimentary environments and ocean chemistry.
Though a large number of studies of the biotic and abiotic changes, and their relationship, during this interval have been conducted, questions remain and new data are continually being gathered. Thus, here we call for more studies with the purpose of expanding understanding of this key time period in the history of life and its environmental and geological context.
In this Research Topic we welcome palaeontological studies pertaining to the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition including work in the area of systematics, biostratigraphy, taphonomy, biomineralogy, phylogenetics, palaeoecology and macroevolution. We also welcome relevant palaeoenvironmental and geological studies including work in the area of sedimentology, geochemistry, geochronology, biogeochemistry, palaeoceanography, and palaeogeography.
