Mass extinction or extirpation: Permian biotic turnovers in the northwestern margin of Pangea

Abstract The Capitanian (Middle Permian) mass extinction event, prior to and separate from the end-Permian extinction, has been suggested as a severe biotic crisis comparable big five extinctions of Phanerozoic. However, there is still controversy about its global significance. In particular, this purportedly disastrous event in was mostly documented eastern Tethys, especially South China Japan, whereas extent higher latitudinal regions remains unclear. A few recent studies have reported biostratigraphic chemostratigraphic evidence for at northwestern marginal shelf Pangea, including Kapp Starostin Formation Spitsbergen. we here report different result these previous based on study abundant brachiopod fossils collected eight geological sections that represent same formation western central Spitsbergen, Arctic Norway. Our investigation recognizes total assemblages type section Festningen most striking change species composition observed interval between lowermost Vøringen Member (late Artinskian) overlying member (Kungurian) which makes it much earlier than Capitanian. similar faunal shift stratigraphic also bryozoan-based data. This turnover could be linked significant climatic (cooling) along margin Pangea during Artinskian−Kungurian. Specifically, inferred perturbation likely drove extirpation (emigration) marine faunas out Spitsbergen dispersal eastward into some lower climatically more habitable areas. indicates does not record catastrophic corresponds Tethyan but rather marks gradual transitions throughout Middle Late Permian. transition, driven by continuous cooling, accompanied major changes regional lithology, suggest degree local environmental control, substrate water depth, benthic faunas. Wegener Halvø Schuchert Dal Formations (Lopingian) East Greenland contain diverse fauna post-Vøringen implies brachiopods did suffer Capitanian; instead, many them migrated southward with development Zechstein seaway.