− | The total paleolatitudinal range of ancient [[reef]]s has been used as a guide to rate of change of sea-surface temperature with paleolatitude. This is based on a broad analogy with the distribution of modern reef corals. Because of the [[Late Ordovician]] Gondwana glaciation, the lower [[Silurian]] reefs are asymmetrically distributed.<ref name=ch17r28>Copper, P., Brunton, O., 1990, A global review of Silurian reefs: The Palaeontological Association, London, Special Papers in Palaeontology 44, p. 225–259.</ref> They did not reach as far south as 30°S paleolatitude but extended north of 30°N, reflecting the existence of a colder south polar region in the Early Silurian. This conclusion is also supported by the development of a cold-water ''Clarkeia'' brachiopod province in the early Silurian of Gondwana<ref name=ch17r25>Cocks, L., 1972, The origin of the Silurian ''Clarkeia'' shelly fauna of South America, and its extension to West Africa: Palaeontology, vol. 15, p. 623–630.</ref> which is supplanted at lower latitudes by other faunal provinces. | + | The total paleolatitudinal range of ancient [[reef]]s has been used as a guide to rate of change of sea-surface temperature with paleolatitude. This is based on a broad analogy with the distribution of modern reef corals. Because of the [[Late Ordovician]] Gondwana glaciation, the lower [[Silurian]] reefs are asymmetrically distributed.<ref name=ch17r28>Copper, P., and O. Brunton, 1990, A global review of Silurian reefs: The Palaeontological Association, London, Special Papers in Palaeontology 44, p. 225–259.</ref> They did not reach as far south as 30°S paleolatitude but extended north of 30°N, reflecting the existence of a colder south polar region in the Early Silurian. This conclusion is also supported by the development of a cold-water ''Clarkeia'' brachiopod province in the early Silurian of Gondwana<ref name=ch17r25>Cocks, L., 1972, The origin of the Silurian ''Clarkeia'' shelly fauna of South America, and its extension to West Africa: Palaeontology, vol. 15, p. 623–630.</ref> which is supplanted at lower latitudes by other faunal provinces. |
| Published interpretations of interior Australian surface temperatures during the [[Permian]], reaching values as high as [[temperature::50°C]], cannot be reconciled with the existence of terrestrial vertebrates in the same area because such temperatures would have been lethal. A reassessment of this quantitative model is needed. | | Published interpretations of interior Australian surface temperatures during the [[Permian]], reaching values as high as [[temperature::50°C]], cannot be reconciled with the existence of terrestrial vertebrates in the same area because such temperatures would have been lethal. A reassessment of this quantitative model is needed. |