The Controversial Role of Oxygen in Animal Evolution and Diversification

Explore the complex relationship between oxygen and animal evolution in this 22-minute video lecture. Delve into the controversial Oxygen Control Hypothesis and examine various factors that may have influenced the emergence and diversification of complex multicellular life on Earth. Analyze evidence challenging the idea of a simple oxygen threshold for animal evolution, considering the roles of temperature, primary production, calcium and phosphorus availability, and the animals themselves. Investigate alternative scenarios and the significance of this research for understanding Earth's biological history. Learn about the potential interplay between oxygen levels and animal diversity, and how new evidence has flipped traditional interpretations of the Oxygen Control Hypothesis.