Comparative analysis of the end-Permian and end-Ordovician brachiopod mass extinctions and survivals in South China
Abstract A comparative study of the pattern of brachiopod extinction, survival and recovery in the end-Ordovician and end-Permian mass extinctions reveals a variety of patterns, magnitudes and intensities in South China. The presence of many survivors and the absence of any ordinal extinction of brachiopods across the Ordovician–Silurian transition indicates a close taxonomic and ecological relationship of pre- and post-extinction brachiopod associations. Brachiopods recovered rapidly in Late Rhuddanian (Early Silurian) after a short survival period. The taxonomic composition, biodiversity and ecological levels in the radiation period largely mirror those prior to the end-Ordovician extinction. In contrast, elimination of four major brachiopod orders, 20 superfamilies and almost all Permian-type genera after a short survival interval in the early Griesbachian and the absence of survival, Lazarus and progenitor genera suggest a great revolutionary turnover between Late Permian and Triassic brachiopod associations. Brachiopods underwent a long bleak interval from late Griesbachian to the beginning of the Middle Triassic. The brachiopod groups in the Anisian (Middle Triassic) recovery–radiation period are taxonomically linked to those in the Permian only at family or higher levels. Therefore, the taxonomic and paleoecological effects of the end-Ordovician extinction were of a lesser magnitude than for the end-Permian extinction of Brachiopoda in South China.