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How did the Mesozoic Marine Revolution change Jurassic seafloor ecosystems?

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Jurassic paleogeography — Jurassic Period Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins during the late Jurassic Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.

The Mesozoic Marine Revolution, which began during the Jurassic Period, fundamentally transformed seafloor ecosystems through an escalating arms race between predators and prey.1

As more effective predators—including crabs, snails, echinoderms, and various marine vertebrates—evolved and radiated, predation pressure on bottom-dwelling organisms increased significantly. In response, many prey species developed defensive adaptations, most notably an increase in the frequency and maximum depth of burrowing into the sediment to escape predation.1

This shift in behavior had profound consequences for the marine environment:
* Seafloor Nature: Increased burrowing activity physically altered the structure and composition of the seafloor.1
* Resource Utilization: The ability to inhabit deeper sediment layers changed how organisms utilized space and available resources.1
* Sedimentation: The biological disturbance of the seafloor modified sedimentation styles, moving away from the conditions seen in earlier periods.1

Ultimately, this revolution drove the diversification of marine fauna as organisms continuously adapted to survive in a more dangerous, competitive environment.1