Dynamics of the conodont diversity in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous (Famennian–Serpukhovian)

Abstract

Subject.The article is aimed to evaluate of the conodont diversity dynamics at the species level in the Famennian – Serpukhovian interval.Materials and methods.The database compiled from the published and original data contains information on the stratigraphic ranges of 389 Famennian-Serpukhovian conodont species (https://1drv.ms/x/s!AvPFMTPLPc7T4nFU81CaO5UJ6nlw). Conodont zones compose the geochronological basis of the database. The conodont diversity, origination, extinction, and diversification were calculated. Dynamics of these parameters in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous was analyzed.Results.The Famennian-Serpukhovian conodonts demonstrate four cycles in the diversity: the early Famennian (triangularis-early postera zones), the late Famennian (late postera-praesulcata zones), the Tournaisian (sulcata-anchoralis zones), and the Visean-Serpukhovian (texanus-bollandensis zones). The cycles are separated by the low-diversity episodes. The highest diversity (80 species) is detected in the early and late marginifera zones (Famennian).Conclusions.The successive decreasing in diversity comprises interval from the late Famennian through Serpukhovian. The global events gave little influence on the conodont diversity except for the Frasnian/Famennian (about 70% conodont species became extinct) and Devonian/Carboniferous extinction events. Conodont diversity demonstrates weak dependence form the global sea level fluctuations. The transition from the green-house to ice-house climate at the beginning of the Carboniferous and successive changes in the marine ecosystems are considered as main probable cause of the decline in conodont diversity in the late Tournaisian-Serpukhovian.