Re: Insects at K/T boundary

[N.Monks@xxxxxxxxx (Neale Monks)]

Peter wrote:-

>Neal-- If you think not much happened, compare what was walking around on
>land in late Cretaceous communities with what was present in early
>Paleocene communities on land.

I agree - it was just that their point that...

"Hibernation seems the most plausible reason why insects were hardly
affected by the K/T boundary event"

...isn't completely logical. If nothing is observed it can mean that either
the subject was not affected OR that nothing happened to cause a change.

Besides, the major factors which affect insects are plants (as food,
habitats, etc...) and other insects (as competitors, parasites, or
predators). Vertebrates have a much more minor role. And how much do we
know about terrestrial plants and insects over the KT? My impression is
that both groups "sailed through".

Regards,

Neale.

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Department of Palaeontology, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD
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