Coupling of ocean redox and animal evolution during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition

Dan Wang (), Hong-Fei Ling (), Ulrich Struck, Xiang-Kun Zhu, Maoyan Zhu, Tianchen He, Ben Yang, Antonia Gamper and Graham A. Shields
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Dan Wang: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Hong-Fei Ling: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University
Ulrich Struck: Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science
Xiang-Kun Zhu: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Maoyan Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tianchen He: University of Leeds
Ben Yang: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Antonia Gamper: Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science
Graham A. Shields: University College London

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The late Ediacaran to early Cambrian interval witnessed extraordinary radiations of metazoan life. The role of the physical environment in this biological revolution, such as changes to oxygen levels and nutrient availability, has been the focus of longstanding debate. Seemingly contradictory data from geochemical redox proxies help to fuel this controversy. As an essential nutrient, nitrogen can help to resolve this impasse by establishing linkages between nutrient supply, ocean redox, and biological changes. Here we present a comprehensive N-isotope dataset from the Yangtze Basin that reveals remarkable coupling between δ15N, δ13C, and evolutionary events from circa 551 to 515 Ma. The results indicate that increased fixed nitrogen supply may have facilitated episodic animal radiations by reinforcing ocean oxygenation, and restricting anoxia to near, or even at the sediment–water interface. Conversely, sporadic ocean anoxic events interrupted ocean oxygenation, and may have led to extinctions of the Ediacaran biota and small shelly animals.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04980-5

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