Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:08:30.663Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Some comments on Van Valen's law of extinction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2016

Stanley N. Salthe*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, N. Y. 11210

Abstract

The linear survivorship curve of Van Valen's Law can be generated from stochastic loss of lineages, given a decreasing sample size within an adaptive zone. No special biological explanation is required or called for in order to explain “linearity” in taxonomic survivorship curves.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Fisher, R. A. 1929. The genetical theory of natural selection. 1958 edition. Dover; New York.Google Scholar
Raup, D. M. 1975. Taxonomic survivorship curves and Van Valen's law. Paleobiology. 1:8296.Google Scholar
Salthe, S. N. 1975. Problems of macroevolution (molecular evolution, phenotype definition, and canalization) as seen from a hierarchical viewpoint. Am. Zool. 15:295314.Google Scholar
Van Valen, L. 1973. A new evolutionary law. Evol. Theory. 1:130.Google Scholar
Van Valen, L. 1974. Molecular evolution as predicted by natural selection. J. Mol. Evol. 3:89101.Google Scholar