Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Polymorphism, variation and evolutionary change in early vertebrates from the Gogo Formation, Western Australia

    137216_15512_DARWIN - TRINAJSTIC.pdf (5.796Mb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Trinajstic, Kate
    Date
    2009
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Trinajstic, Kate. 2009. Polymorphism, variation and evolutionary change in early vertebrates from the Gogo Formation, Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 92: pp. 313-319.
    Source Title
    Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia
    ISSN
    0035-922X
    Faculty
    Department of Applied Geology
    Faculty of Science and Engineering
    WA School of Mines
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6197
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    The imperfection of the fossil record was used by Charles Darwin to explain the lack of evidence for 'organs of extreme perfection and complication', which under his theory of natural selection must have evolved through a series of gradual transitions. In addition, a major premise in the theory of natural selection is that variation between organisms is required so selection for particular traits can occur. The fossil record has subsequently revealed a small number of sites comprising fossils of exceptional preservation including the Gogo Formation of Western Australia. Here a unique Late Devonian (Frasnian) reef fauna, with exceptional three-dimensional preservation of macrofossils combined with unprecedented soft-tissue preservation has preserved examples of the transitional forms and morphological variation Darwin predicted. The most significant discoveries have contributed: insights into reproductive biology, including the oldest known vertebrate embryos and evidence of sexual dimorphism with internal fertilization; the anatomy and variation present in the earliest gnathostomes, the placoderms, provides evidence of directional selection; some of the earliest morphological changes required in the transition from an aquatic to land environment are seen in the primitive tetrapodomorph, Gogonasus.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • The organic geochemistry of marine-influenced coals.
      Sandison, Carolyn M. (2001)
      The importance of organic sulphur fixation in the preservation of organic matter in humic coal-forming environments is demonstrated in this thesis. The transgression of coal depositional systems by marine waters during ...
    • Anthropogenic disturbance and evolutionary parameters: A lemon shark population experiencing habitat loss
      Di Battista, Joseph; Feldheim, K.; Garant, D.; Gruber, S.; Hendry, A. (2011)
      The level of genetic variation in natural populations influences evolutionary potential, and may therefore influence responses to selection in the face of future environmental changes. By combining long-term monitoring ...
    • Burden of disease and benefits of exercise in fixed airway obstruction asthma
      Turner, Sian Elizabeth (2009)
      Background and research questions. The characterization of chronic persistent asthma in an older adult population is not well defined. This is due to the difficulties in separating the diagnosis of asthma from that of ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.