Data from: Silent past: Biogeographic gaps in the Cenozoic fossil archive

This dataset accompanies an analysis of fossil information loss across the
Cenozoic and integrates palaeoclimatic reconstructions, lithological
sedimentary data, and fossil occurrences. The dataset includes processed
climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) derived from the HadCM3
model at 14 geological intervals from 66 to 0 Ma, categorized into
Köppen-Geiger climate zones. Lithological data were extracted from a
generalized global geological map (Chorlton, 2007) to isolate sedimentary
formations with fossil preservation potential. Fossil occurrence records
were obtained from the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) as of February 2025.
The R script provided merges and analyses these data layers to assess the
spatial-temporal overlap between climate zones, sedimentary coverage, and
fossil distribution. Outputs include estimates of information loss in the
fossil record due to the absence of suitable depositional environments
within specific climate zones. This dataset facilitates reproducibility of
the analyses and supports reuse for studies involving palaeoclimatic
modeling, fossil preservation biases, or Cenozoic biodiversity patterns.
No ethical or legal restrictions apply to the use of these data.