New supercontinent could wipe out nearly all mammal life on Earth, study says

Mammals are considered highly developed animals; It is not surprising that many species have managed to survive in different habitats around the world. In fact, they have survived many mass extinctions and some natural climate events. The formation of a new supercontinent could end the reign of mammals.

According to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience, current data suggest that greenhouse gases may reach an irreversible level, which could help extinguish vertebrate animals. This could get even worse when the next supercontinent forms.

The last time Earth transformed into a supercontinent occurred between 250 and 330 million years ago, during a period known as Pangea. Now, The concept of ‘Pangea 2.0’ or ‘Last Pangea’ was used to study Earth’s climate during the formation of the next supercontinent; The results were not encouraging, especially for mammals.

“The formation and decay of Ultimate Pangea would limit and ultimately end the habitability of terrestrial mammals on Earth by exceeding their thermal tolerance. [de temperaturas mais] Warm, billions of years earlier than previously thought,” explain the researchers in the study.

The next supercontinent and mammals

During the first pangea, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increased significantly, reaching approximately 2,100 parts per million (ppm), leading to a 10°C increase in average temperature. Currently levels are around 416 ppm compared to pre-industrial levels. If the number exceeds 560 ppm, mass extinction may occur.

Specialized migratory mammals and nocturnal rodents can survive the supercontinent’s intense climate, although most do not.

As the study explains, the model suggests that atmospheric carbon levels should exceed these figures during the formation of the next supercontinent. For example, average temperature a Warm moon temperatures can reach up to 46.5 °C, possibly causing heat stress and death of most known mammal species; Scientists also don’t believe these animals would evolve quickly enough to withstand these high temperatures.

The scientists add: “Although we cannot rule out evolutionary adaptation to heat and cold stress, recent studies have shown that the upper limits of mammalian heat tolerance have been maintained throughout geological time and have not increased during past rapid or slow warming events.”

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