Citation
Estimates of the Magnitudes of Major Marine Mass Extinctions in Earth History
TL;DR
End-Permian extinction eliminated ~81% of marine species
Updated statistical analysis of extinction magnitudes, estimating End-Permian species-level extinction at ~81% (from genus-level data) and providing refined estimates for all major extinction events. Establishes current scientific consensus on extinction intensity.
Stanley's refined estimates confirm that mass extinctions eliminate the vast majority of species - not just marginal players but dominant lineages. This validates the extinction framework's premise: competitive fitness provides no protection during catastrophic environmental shifts.
Key Findings from Stanley (2016)
- End-Permian extinction eliminated ~81% of marine species
- Refined statistical methodology for estimating species loss from genus data
- Confirmed intensity rankings of Big Five extinctions
- Provided updated estimates for all major extinction events