Systematic paleontology, quantitative community analysis and paleoecology of the “Cambrian Explosion.”

The “Cambrian Explosion” is arguably one of the most important evolutionary events in the history of life with the appearance of most animal groups. The explosion of bilaterians, representing most animals, is only well documented in the fossil record in Cambrian rocks starting 530 Ma.

I am particularly interested in better understanding the ecology (structure and functioning), diversity, and evolution of the first complex bentho-pelagic marine ecosystems derived from the “Cambrian Explosion.”

Odontogriphus omalus a putative early stem-group mollusc. © Caron et al. Nature - 2006 Rights Reserved