Synchronology, taxonomy and reality

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Abstract
Geochronometry is only of limited help in establishing the timing of evolutionary events. Biostratigraphy and the establishment of a global standard stratigraphic scale are essential. These must be handled sensibly. Suggested periodicity of extinctions is dismissed. So called ‘mass extinctions’ are assessed by reference to the Ordovician-Silurian, Frasnian-Famennian and Cretaceous-Tertiary examples. Too ready use of the term ‘mass extinction’ tends to over-dramatize the patterns truly obtainable from the fossil record. It is easier to play with secondary data than to collect primary data.