A Problem in Paleobiology

Abstract

We present a stochastic model for the size of a taxon in paleobiology, in which we allow for the evolution of new taxon members, and both individual and catastrophic extinction events. The model uses ideas from the theory of birth and death processes. Some general properties of the model are developed, and a fuller discussion is given for specific distributions of the time between catastrophic extinction events. Long tails in the taxon size distribution arise naturally from the model.