Time since the appearance of life on Earth

Range >3.5 Ga
Organism Biosphere
Reference Payne JL et al., Two-phase increase in the maximum size of life over 3.5 billion years reflects biological innovation and environmental opportunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Jan 6 106(1):24-7 p.24 left column top paragraph and p.25 fig.1PubMed ID19106296
Primary Source Bonner JT (1988) The Evolution of Complexity by Means of Natural Selection (Princeton Univ Press, Princeton).
Method Researchers document the evolutionary history of body size on Earth, focusing on the upper limit to size.
Comments Ga=billion years ago. (Primary source p.6 bottom paragraph:) "...the 1st organisms observed are bacteria-like and are estimated to be about 3.4 billion years old."
Entered by Uri M
ID 107057