About 542 million years ago, an event known as 'The Cambrian Explosion' also known as 'Cambrian Radiation' occurred. It began in the Cambrian period which took place during the Paleozoic Era 542-251 million years ago. It is one of the most significant episodes in the history of life (Conway Morris, 2006). The Cambrian Explosion changed everything. Prior to the Cambrian Explosion, large animals were soft-bodied. Palaeontologists discovered fossils which accounted for approximately half of all extant animal phyla; the first animals with hard mineralized skeletons. There was a major increase in the diversity of animal phyla. The explosion is extraordinary as all major animal body plans appeared during this time.
There are many ecological factors which may have brought about the explosion. Changes in the biotic and abiotic environment, and …show more content…
The Ediacarans showed little signs of predation. Alternatively grazers, scavengers and suspension feeders dominated. Many hypotheses exist to explain the vanishing of this particular biota. Some include a changing environment, the arrival of predators and competition from other life-forms. With the increase of predators, prey adapted by developing new lines of defence such as hard exo-skeletons. Structural support allowed for an increase in size which meant additional protection from smaller predators.
The ‘‘Lipalian’’ is defined by Charles D. Walcott as an “era of unknown marine sedimentation between the adjustment of pelagic life to littoral conditions and the appearance of the Lower Cambrian Explosion”. Ancestors of the Cambrian animals evolved during this time.
Trilobites were the first Cambrian fossils to be discovered. Trilobites were solely marine and most commonly found in low coastal habitats. They may have been preyed on by Cambrian Predators such as Anomalocaris which was one of the biggest Cambrian animals and most likely an
There are many ecological factors which may have brought about the explosion. Changes in the biotic and abiotic environment, and …show more content…
The Ediacarans showed little signs of predation. Alternatively grazers, scavengers and suspension feeders dominated. Many hypotheses exist to explain the vanishing of this particular biota. Some include a changing environment, the arrival of predators and competition from other life-forms. With the increase of predators, prey adapted by developing new lines of defence such as hard exo-skeletons. Structural support allowed for an increase in size which meant additional protection from smaller predators.
The ‘‘Lipalian’’ is defined by Charles D. Walcott as an “era of unknown marine sedimentation between the adjustment of pelagic life to littoral conditions and the appearance of the Lower Cambrian Explosion”. Ancestors of the Cambrian animals evolved during this time.
Trilobites were the first Cambrian fossils to be discovered. Trilobites were solely marine and most commonly found in low coastal habitats. They may have been preyed on by Cambrian Predators such as Anomalocaris which was one of the biggest Cambrian animals and most likely an