The Permian Period
The Permian Period is the last one, after the Carboniferous Period, of the Paleozoic Era lasting for about 46 to 47 million years from 299-252 million years ago (mya) (Smith 2011). One major feature of this period is the formation of the supercontinent, Pangaea which affected the environment and the climate as well which gave rise to new species. Another distinct feature is the greatest mass extinction event which killed around 54% of all marine families and most of the land species as well (Erwin 1989). This phenomenon then gave way to the “Age of the Dinosaurs”.
Geography and Climate
Due to the movement of the tectonic plates, the two continents Gondwanaland and Laurussia came together and formed one supercontinent called Pangaea (Torsiv et al. 2003). The formation of this single continent occurred around 270 mya. Pangea forms a C-shaped landmass dividing the Earth into two main bodies of water. To the right, in the inner curvature of the landmass, is the Tethys Sea, while to the left is the larger, Panthalassa (Fig. 1) (Smith 2011).
Figure 1. Depiction of the supercontinent Pangaea and the surrounding bodies of water during the Permian period. (Image Source: http://www.scotese.com/newpage5.htm)
Along with the formation of Pangea, changes in the environment …show more content…
Examples of amphibians during the said period are the Temnospondyls and Nectrideans. In terms of the reptiles, the herbivores dominated. Among them were the pareiasaurs, which had a thick armored skin on the dorsal side, pelycosaurs, which was distinct for its large spines at the back, and Coelurosauravus, which had wing-like structures that makes it glide. The growth of herbivory is another reason for plants to diversify given the pressures they are taking from their
The Permian Period is the last one, after the Carboniferous Period, of the Paleozoic Era lasting for about 46 to 47 million years from 299-252 million years ago (mya) (Smith 2011). One major feature of this period is the formation of the supercontinent, Pangaea which affected the environment and the climate as well which gave rise to new species. Another distinct feature is the greatest mass extinction event which killed around 54% of all marine families and most of the land species as well (Erwin 1989). This phenomenon then gave way to the “Age of the Dinosaurs”.
Geography and Climate
Due to the movement of the tectonic plates, the two continents Gondwanaland and Laurussia came together and formed one supercontinent called Pangaea (Torsiv et al. 2003). The formation of this single continent occurred around 270 mya. Pangea forms a C-shaped landmass dividing the Earth into two main bodies of water. To the right, in the inner curvature of the landmass, is the Tethys Sea, while to the left is the larger, Panthalassa (Fig. 1) (Smith 2011).
Figure 1. Depiction of the supercontinent Pangaea and the surrounding bodies of water during the Permian period. (Image Source: http://www.scotese.com/newpage5.htm)
Along with the formation of Pangea, changes in the environment …show more content…
Examples of amphibians during the said period are the Temnospondyls and Nectrideans. In terms of the reptiles, the herbivores dominated. Among them were the pareiasaurs, which had a thick armored skin on the dorsal side, pelycosaurs, which was distinct for its large spines at the back, and Coelurosauravus, which had wing-like structures that makes it glide. The growth of herbivory is another reason for plants to diversify given the pressures they are taking from their