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SUMMARY:Environmental and ecological drivers of early animal evolution - I
 lya Bobrovskiy (Organic Geochemistry\, Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences)
DTSTART:20250306T110000Z
DTEND:20250306T120000Z
UID:TALK229165@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Paul B. Rimmer
DESCRIPTION:In-person\n\nThe circumstances surrounding the origin and earl
 y evolution of animals have long been a controversial topic\, hinging on a
  mismatch between molecular clock estimates and the fossil record for the 
 timing of animal diversification\, the enigmatic appearance of the oldest 
 known complex macroscopic fossils\, and the potentially biased and incompl
 ete fossil record of the Precambrian. In recent years\, the timing of the 
 origin and early diversification of animals has become much clearer\, as m
 olecular clock estimates have largely converged with macrofossil\, microfo
 ssil\, and biomarker records. This alignment now allows for a much more fo
 cused search for ecological or environmental factors that may have trigger
 ed the rise of animals.\n\nThe stable carbon isotope record serves as the 
 ultimate reflection of the interaction between ancient life and the enviro
 nment\, as well as perturbations in the carbon cycle. However\, interpreti
 ng stable carbon isotope signatures in both carbonate minerals and organic
  matter within ancient rocks is fraught with uncertainties arising from bi
 ological processes\, sedimentological conditions\, and diagenetic influenc
 es. Consequently\, our understanding of ancient palaeoenvironments and the
  carbon cycle remains significantly constrained by these uncertainties.\n\
 nRather than measuring bulk isotopic signals from rock samples\, we can di
 rectly infer the signatures of specific groups of organisms that inhabited
  ancient palaeobasins by analysing the isotopic composition of their uniqu
 e biomarkers. For instance\, the isotopic composition of hopanes and stera
 nes closely reflects that of bacteria and eukaryotic algae\, respectively.
  Leveraging this approach\, we can gain an unprecedented level of detail a
 bout both the composition of ancient ecosystems and past environmental cha
 nges.
LOCATION:Battcock\, Room F17
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