• DATA
  • METRICS
  • CONTEXT
  • HUMAN

How to analyze fossil diversity over time with your AI

Connect your agent to the Paleobiology Database to pull taxonomic data and run diversity calculations across specific geological periods.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I use my AI to track fossil diversity through time?

Your agent pulls specific geological timescales and calculates taxonomic richness or diversity metrics for those intervals. You get structured tables and diversity counts ready for your research.

Research outcomes

Data your agent produces

The specific outputs from your queries.

DATA

Time-series tables

The agent pulls taxonomic counts for specific intervals. You receive organized data ready for plotting or analysis.

METRICS

Diversity indices

Your agent calculates specific diversity metrics for the requested periods. This provides the mathematical basis for your evolutionary trends.

CONTEXT

Geological intervals

The agent identifies valid timescales to ensure your queries match the database structure. This prevents errors in your diversity requests.

HUMAN

Interpret results

The AI provides the raw numbers and tables. You must perform the final biological interpretation and evolutionary reasoning.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The agent moves from identifying timeframes to calculating specific diversity metrics.

  1. Identify timescales

    The agent checks the available geological time scales to ensure your requested intervals exist in the database.

    list_timescales

  2. Calculate diversity

    The agent runs diversity calculations for the specific taxonomic groups and time periods you define.

    get_occurrences_diversity

  3. Quick diversity checks

    For rapid estimates, the agent pulls a simplified diversity count for a given set of occurrences.

    get_occurrences_quickdiv

  4. Tabulate findings

    The agent organizes the resulting counts into a clean format you can use in your reports.

    get_occurrences_diversity

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to begin your analysis.

Starting points

Swap out the bracketed terms for your specific taxonomic groups or geological periods.

Paleobiology Database Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_LMsuNJagRnlZ0WZkj1f9bs5AIS0QnltioKnEzw67/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Paleobiology Database capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paleobiology-database-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_LMsuNJagRnlZ0WZkj1f9bs5AIS0QnltioKnEzw67/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • List all available geological timescales in the Paleobiology Database.

  • Calculate the taxonomic diversity for the Cambrian period.

  • Get a quick diversity count for all occurrences in the Jurassic period.

  • Tabulate the diversity of trilobites across the Ordovician timescale.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect Paleobiology Database once, then ask.

One connection gives your agent access to the full database. You can then start asking for specific diversity metrics immediately.

Connect Paleobiology Database to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI create custom diversity formulas?

    No. The AI uses the specific diversity calculation tools provided by the database.

  • 02

    Can I ask the AI to download the entire database?

    No. The agent can only pull data for the specific timescales or occurrences you request.

  • 03

    Does the AI write the final research paper?

    No. The AI provides the data and tables; you are responsible for the scientific writing and interpretation.

  • 04

    Can the AI modify existing records in the database?

    No. The tools only allow for reading and calculating data from the database.

  • 05

    Can I use this with Claude or Cursor?

    Yes. Any MCP-compatible client works once you connect the Paleobiology Database via Vinkius.

  • More questions about Paleobiology Database? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Paleobiology Database Connector can do

Connect Paleobiology Database to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more