Evolution of Primary Producers in the Sea

by Falkowski; Knoll

• ISBN13: 9780123705181
• ISBN10: 0123705185
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-08-15
• Publisher: Elsevier Science

Summary

This text reference examines how photosynthesis evolved on Earth and how phytoplankton evolved through time ultimately to permit the evolution of complex life, including human beings. The first of its kind, this book provides thorough coverage of key topics, with contributions by leading experts in biophysics, evolutionary biology, micropaleontology, marine ecology, and biogeochemistry. This exciting new book is of interest not only to students and researchers in marine science, but also to evolutionary biologists and ecologists interested in understanding the origins and diversification of life.Primary Producers of the Seaoffers these students and researchers an understanding of the molecular evolution, phylogeny, fossil record, and environmental processes that collectively permits us to comprehend the rise of phytoplankton and their impact on Earth's ecology and biogeochemistry. It is certain to become the first and best word on this exhilarating topic. * Discusses the evolution of phytoplankton in the world's oceans as the first living organisms and the first and basic producers in the earths food chain * Includes the latest developments in the evolution and ecology of marine phytoplankton specifically with additonal informaton on marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles * The only book to consider of the evolution of phytoplankton and its role in molecular evolution, biogeochemistry, palaeontology, and oceanographic aspects * Written at a level suitable for related reading use in courses on the Evolution of the Biosphere, Ecological and Biological oceanography and marine biology, and Biodiversity

Table of Contents

An introduction to primary producers in the sea: Who they are, what they do, and when they evolved

The geological succession of primary producers in the oceans

The Evolutionary transition from anoxygenic to oxygenic photosynthesis

Photosynthesis and the eukaryote tree of life

Eukaryote and mitochondrial origins: two sides of the same coin and too much ado about oxygen

Plastid endosymbiosis: sources and timing of the major events

Evolution of light-harvesting antennas in an oxygen world

Oceanic photochemistry and evolution of elements and co-factors in the early stages of the evolution of life

Life in Triassic oceans: links between Benthic and planktonic recovery and radiation

The origin and evolution of dinoflagellates

The origin and evolution of the diatoms: their adaptation to a planktonic existence

Origin and evolution of coccolithophores: from coastal hunters to oceanic farmers

The origin and early evolution of green plants

Armor: why, when and how

Does phytoplankton cell size matter? The evolution of modern marine food webs

Resource competition and the ecological success of phytoplankton

Biological and geochemical forcings to Phanerozoic change in seawater, atmosphere, and carbonate precipitate composition

Geochemical and biological consequences of phytoplankton evolution

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