The role of vertebrate herbivory in the evolution of land plants

Abstract

Land plants have evolved in the selective context of their surrounding environment. Climate has long been discussed as a selective force, but the effects of vertebrate herbivores may also be significant. Four phases of vertebrate herbivory may be recognized in the fossil record. The Silurian-Late Carboniferous apparently lacks vertebrate herbivores. The Early Permian-Late Triassic is dominated by low-feeding therapsids. The Late Triassic-K/T boundary is dominated by large archosaurian herbivores. The Tertiary-Present is dominated by small birds and mammals. Recognition of these changing forces of vertebrate herbivory will aid in understanding the evolution of vascular plants.