Devonian extinctions
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- Devonian Period mass extinction event
Devonian extinctions, a series of several global extinction events primarily affecting the marine communities of the Devonian Period (419.2 million to 359 million years ago). At present it is not possible to connect this series definitively with any single cause. It is probable that they may record a combination of several stresses—such as excessive sedimentation, rapid global warming or cooling, bolide (meteorite or comet) impacts, or massive nutrient runoff from the continents. Collectively, the extinctions (which include the Lower Zilchov, Taghanic, Kellwasser, and Hangenberg events) are responsible for the elimination of 70 to 80 percent of all animal species present ...(100 of 654 words)