In the geological timescale, the Llandovery Epoch or Early Silurian (from 443.1 ± 0.9 million years ago to 432.9 ± 1.2 million years ago) occurred at the beginning of the Silurian Period. The Llandoverian Epoch follows the massive Ordovician-Silurian extinction events, which led to a large decrease in biodiversity and an opening up of ecosystems.
Widespread reef building started in this period and continued into the Devonian Period when rising water temperatures are thought to have bleached out the coral by killing their photo symbionts.
