Cenozoic Tethyan changes dominated Eurasian animal evolution and diversity patterns-Zhao-2022

Cenozoic tectonic evolution in the Tethyan region impacted Eurasia's landforms and ecology, promoting animal development and altering animal diversity. By merging the newest Tethyan paleogeographic models and Eurasian zoological investigations, we highlight how tectonic development in the region has influenced Eurasian animal evolution and diversity. Convergence of continental plates, closing of Tethys Sea, and Tethyan sea-level variations effect Eurasian animal diversity. Tethyan tectonics have influenced animal origin, distribution, preservation, diversification, and extinction in Eurasia. New habitats and niches arose from ecological changes, promoting adaptive evolution, specialization, speciation, and expansion. The Cenozoic tectonic development of the Tethyan region has altered Eurasian animal distribution and shaped organic evolution. Tethyan geological events are related with Eurasian animal evolution and diversification dynamics.

Zhao Z, Hou ZE, Li SQ. Cenozoic Tethyan changes dominated Eurasian animal evolution and diversity patterns. Zool Res. 2022 Jan 18;43(1):3-13. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.322. PMID: 34766479; PMCID: PMC8743248.