Abstract
It is currently widely accepted that the hermatypic coral fauna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean underwent massive extinction during the mid-Tertiary, with subsequent transoceanic colonizatiion by planulae from the Indo-West Pacific region during periods of favorable conditions. We suggest that the available evidence does not strongly support this biogeographic hypothesis; moreover, we contend that it is untestable in its present form. In its place we propose an alternative hypothesis based upon modification of a previously widespread, pan-Tethyan coral biota which has since been modified by tectonic events, speciations, and extinctions.
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Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark
Order of authorship was determined by the toss of a coin.
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Heck, K.L., McCoy, E.D. Long-distance dispersal and the reef-building corals of the Eastern Pacific. Mar. Biol. 48, 349–356 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391639
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391639