Oxygen linked with the boom and bust of early animal evolution

The Cambrian explosion was a critical period for the rapid evolution of complex animals that began about 540 million years ago. The triggering factor for this basic phase in the early history of animal life is the subject of a continuing biological debate.

The study, published by scientists in the UK, China and Russia today in the journal Nature Earth Science, strongly supports the theory that atmospheric oxygen levels are the main controlling factor in animal evolution.

This study demonstrates for the first time that there is a significant correlation between the surge in oxygen levels during the Cambrian explosion and the evolution of animals and biodiversity and the extinction during hypoxia.

Dr. He Tianchen is a lead author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leeds. He started the research at University College London. He said: "The complex creatures that emerged during the Cambrian explosion are the precursors of many modern animals we see today. But since there is no direct record of atmospheric oxygen during this time, it is difficult to determine which factors we may have started. The key point of evolution.