Lab Practical 1

Question 1

Pre-Cambrian Fossils

Answer 1

(>550 MYA) The organisms from this time period were primarily simple, soft-bodied life forms like bacteria, algae, and early multicellular organisms. Species diversity was relatively low, with most life forms being microscopic and lacking complex structures.

Question 2

Ordovician Fossils

Answer 2

(433 - 488 MYA) The Ordovician period saw a rise in marine life, including brachiopods, trilobites, cephalopods, corals, and early fish. Species diversity significantly increased, particularly in marine environments, leading to a variety of body forms and adaptations.

Question 3

Devonian Fossils

Answer 3

(358-419 MYA) The Devonian is often called the “Age of Fishes” due to the diversification of jawed and bony fish. Early amphibians, corals, and mollusks were also present. This period marked a major increase in species diversity, with the first vertebrates transitioning to land.

Question 4

Pennsylvanian Fossils

Answer 4

(298-323 MYA) Fossils from this period include amphibians, early reptiles, large ferns, and extensive coal forests. Coral and invertebrates also thrived in marine environments. Biodiversity continued to expand, with tetrapods becoming more dominant and land ecosystems evolving.

Question 5

Permian-Cretaceous Fossils

Answer 5

(298-65 MYA) This period saw the rise of reptiles, including dinosaurs, early mammals, and flowering plants. Marine life diversified with ammonites and large fish. Life forms became increasingly specialized, and ecosystems grew more complex, with dominant terrestrial and marine species evolving.

Question 6

Vertebrates first appeared in the ________ period

Answer 6

Cambrian

Question 7

Tetrapods first appeared in the ________ period

Answer 7

Devonian

Question 8

Rooneyia

Answer 8

Extinct
The fossil was found in Presidio City, Texas.
It is approximately 40-37 million years old.
It belongs to the order Primates.
The order Primates is currently distributed throughout tropical regions of Africa, Madagascar, Asia, and South America.

Question 9

Trigonias

Answer 9

Extinct
The fossil was found in Pennington County, South Dakota.
It dates back to approximately 40-33 million years ago.
It belongs to the family Rhinocerotidae.
The family Rhinocerotidae is currently distributed in East and Southern Africa and parts of Asia.

Question 10

Mesohippus

Answer 10

extinct
The fossil was found in Pennington County, South Dakota.
It is approximately 38-31 million years old.
It belongs to the family Equidae.
The family Equidae is currently distributed in East Africa, the Near East, and Mongolia

Question 11

Hoplophoneus

Answer 11

extinct.
The fossil was found in Pennington County, South Dakota.
It dates back to approximately 37-26 million years ago.
It belongs to the suborder Feliformia, which includes modern cats, hyenas, and related carnivores.
The suborder Feliformia is currently distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and parts of the Americas.