The Evolution of Large Mammals communities: beyond biochronology

Evolution is commonly studied at different levels, from genes to species. It has been questioned whether all these levels are actually real, although it now seems accepted by most scientific investigators that more than one level is actually targeted by selection. Intriguingly, despite the importance of biological interaction is relevant to the course of evolution (and to the level to which selection applies) the obvious locus for biological interaction, the community, has received little evolutionary attention by mammal paleontologists. Herein, we investigate the concept of a biochron, which is the approximation closest to a real community in the paleontological world, and its applications. Then, we offer some clues as to how to use biochrons for investigating community evolution, and explain why paleontological community evolution is a partly novel, highly promising field of research within the realm of paleobiology.