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How many species?

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Abstract

Simpson's query (Evol., 1952) as to the number of species during earth's history is addressed once again. Some possible mechanistic contraints are put on the problem to distinguish the effects on species evolution from punctuate forces (geological selection pressure generated by buoyancy and tectonic processes) and from near continuous point mutation forces (selection pressure put on the gene pool from the local environment). That is, the long time scaling rate for the life process (its appearance and disappearance) perhaps can be accounted for feasibly by rather straightforward geophysical-geochemical processes.

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  1. UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Iberall A. S. (Visiting Scholar, Oral Biology)

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  1. Iberall A. S.
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Iberall, A.S. How many species?. GeoJournal 18, 133–139 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01207087

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