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Article: Early evolution of the Eukaryota

Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 58
Part: 1
Publication Date: January 2015
Page(s): 5 17
Author(s): Nicholas J. Butterfield
Addition Information

How to Cite

BUTTERFIELD, N.J. Early evolution of the Eukaryota. Palaeontology, 1, 5-17.

Author Information

  • Nicholas J. Butterfield - Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (email: njb1005@cam.ac.uk)

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 7 JAN 2015
  • Article first published online: 26 NOV 2014
  • Manuscript Accepted: 17 OCT 2014
  • Manuscript Received: 11 SEP 2014

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library (Free Access)
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Abstract

The evolution of eukaryotes represents one of the most fundamental transitions in the history of life on Earth; however, there is little consensus as to when or over what timescale it occurred. Review of recent hypotheses and data in a phylogenetic context yields a broadly coherent account. Critical re-assessment of the palaeontological record provides convincing evidence for the presence of crown-group eukaryotes in the late Palaeoproterozic, and stem-group eukaryotes extending back to the early Archaean. Despite their relatively early establishment, crown-eukaryotes appear not to have become ecologically significant until the middle Neoproterozoic. I argue that this billion-year delay was due to the singular, contingent evolution of crown-group animals and their unique capacity to drive co-evolutionary change.

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