IS FAMINE A COMMON FACTOR IN MARINE MASS EXTINCTIONS

A comparison of biotic, sedimentary, and stable isotope patterns acros s the mass extinctions at the Cenomanian-Turonian and Cretaceous-Terti ary boundaries shows that despite differences in initial trigger, dura tion, and scale of the two events, reduction of marine primary product ivity is a common factor. Our model predicts that zooplankton and susp ension feeders will be most severely affected during marine mass extin ctions, survivors will be small, and biotic turnover will be concentra ted during significant deltaC-13 excursions. The model is thus testabl e by using data from other mass extinctions.