Steven M. Stanley
Encyclopedia
Steven M. Stanley is an American paleontologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
. He is best known for his empirical research documenting the evolutionary process of punctuated equilibrium
in the fossil record.
Stanley received his Ph.D. from Yale University
in 1968. For most of his career he taught geology
at Johns Hopkins University
(1969-2005). In 1977 Stanley was awarded the Paleontological Society's Charles Schuchert Award
which is presented "to a person under 40 whose work reflects excellence and promise in the science of paleontology." In 2007 he was awarded the Society's Paleontological Society Medal
, which is "awarded to a person whose eminence is based on advancement of knowledge in paleontology." In 2006 Stanley was awarded the Mary Clark Thompson Medal
by the National Academy of Sciences
and in 2008 the William H. Twenhofel Medal
by the Society for Sedimentary Geology
.
In 1972 Stanley developed the Predation Hypothesis to explain the evolution of novelties in the Cambrian explosion
. Stanley proposed that predation
stimulated prey animals to evolve defenses such as shells, rapid swimming, and burrowing. These strategies also opened new avenues
of evolution through functional shifts. Hard shells allowed for filter feeding, and deep burrowing allowed animals to gain new access to food resources.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
. He is best known for his empirical research documenting the evolutionary process of punctuated equilibrium
Punctuated equilibrium
Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology which proposes that most species will exhibit little net evolutionary change for most of their geological history, remaining in an extended state called stasis...
in the fossil record.
Stanley received his Ph.D. from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1968. For most of his career he taught geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
(1969-2005). In 1977 Stanley was awarded the Paleontological Society's Charles Schuchert Award
Charles Schuchert Award
The Charles Schuchert Award is presented by the Paleontological Society to a person under 40 whose work reflects excellence and promise in the science of paleontology .- Awardees :...
which is presented "to a person under 40 whose work reflects excellence and promise in the science of paleontology." In 2007 he was awarded the Society's Paleontological Society Medal
Paleontological Society Medal
The Paleontological Society Medal the most prestigious honor bestowed by the Paleontological Society, is awarded to a person whose eminence is based on advancement of knowledge in paleontology.- Awardees :...
, which is "awarded to a person whose eminence is based on advancement of knowledge in paleontology." In 2006 Stanley was awarded the Mary Clark Thompson Medal
Mary Clark Thompson Medal
The Mary Clark Thompson Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for most important service to geology and paleontology." Named after Mary Clark Thompson, it was first awarded in 1921.- List of Mary Clark Thompson Medal winners :...
by the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
and in 2008 the William H. Twenhofel Medal
William H. Twenhofel Medal
The William H. Twenhofel Medal is the highest award given by the Society for Sedimentary Geology . It is awarded annually to a person for his or her "Outstanding Contributions to Sedimentary Geology."...
by the Society for Sedimentary Geology
Society for Sedimentary Geology
The Society for Sedimentary Geology is an international not-for-profit, scientific society based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is commonly referred to by its acronym SEPM, which refers to its former name, the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists.The Society’s reason for being is to...
.
In 1972 Stanley developed the Predation Hypothesis to explain the evolution of novelties in the Cambrian explosion
Cambrian explosion
The Cambrian explosion or Cambrian radiation was the relatively rapid appearance, around , of most major phyla, as demonstrated in the fossil record, accompanied by major diversification of other organisms, including animals, phytoplankton, and calcimicrobes...
. Stanley proposed that predation
Predation
In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey . Predators may or may not kill their prey prior to feeding on them, but the act of predation always results in the death of its prey and the eventual absorption of the prey's tissue through consumption...
stimulated prey animals to evolve defenses such as shells, rapid swimming, and burrowing. These strategies also opened new avenues
Exaptation
Exaptation, cooption, and preadaptation are related terms referring to shifts in the function of a trait during evolution. For example, a trait can evolve because it served one particular function, but subsequently it may come to serve another. Exaptations are common in both anatomy and behaviour...
of evolution through functional shifts. Hard shells allowed for filter feeding, and deep burrowing allowed animals to gain new access to food resources.