Long-Distance Dispersal and the Reef-Building Corals of the Eastern Pacific

Authors

K L. Heck, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Earl D. McCoy, Florida State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1978

Keywords

Pacific Ocean, Alternative Hypothesis, Favorable Condition, Present Form, Pacific Region

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391639

Abstract

It is currently widely accepted that the hermatypic coral fauna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean underwent massive extinction during the mid-Tertiary, with subsequent transoceanic colonization by planulae from the Indo-West Pacific region during periods of favorable conditions. We suggest that the available evidence does not strongly support this biogeographic hypothesis; moreover, we contend that it is untestable in its present form. In its place we propose an alternative hypothesis based upon modification of a previously widespread, pan-Tethyan coral biota which has since been modified by tectonic events, speciations, and extinctions.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

No

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Marine Biology, v. 48, issue 4, p. 349-356

Scholar Commons Citation

Heck, K L. and McCoy, Earl D., "Long-Distance Dispersal and the Reef-Building Corals of the Eastern Pacific" (1978). Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications. 259.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/bin_facpub/259