Geological control on dinosaurs’ rise to dominance: Late Triassic ecosystem stress by relative sea level change

• DOI: 10.1111/ter.12480
• Publication Date: 2020-06-07T13:43:33Z
• Authors: Tore G. Klausen; Niall W. Paterson; Michael J. Benton
• Keywords: Dominance (genetics); Marine transgression

Abstract The Late Triassic is enigmatic in terms of how terrestrial life evolved: it was the time when new groups arose, such as dinosaurs, lizards, crocodiles and mammals. Also, witnessed a prolonged period extinctions, distinguishing from other great mass extinction events, while gradual rise dinosaurs during Carnian to Norian remains unexplained. Here we show that key extinctions early might have been triggered by major sea‐level changes across largest delta plain Earth's history situated Boreal Ocean, northern Pangea. Fossil rock records display extensive marine inundations with floral turnover, demonstrating susceptible widespread low‐gradient plains were transgressions. Landward shoreline translocation implies decrease important coastal regions ecological stress on dominant Archosauria, thriving these habitats, argue unique geological factors played an role dominance.