Evaluate the impact of increased understanding of the fossil record on the development of scientific ideas about the history of life on Earth
Improved understanding of the type of fossilised arthropod known as a ‘Trilobite’ allowed for subsequent increases in development of the theory of evolution. Since it’s initial drawing by Rev. Edward Llwyd in 1698, multiple improvements in technology as well as collection of specimens have painted a detailed portait of the nature of trilobites as well as evidence of their diversification- solidifying the theory of evolution well into the 20th century. The trilobite is an incredibly valuable resource as a primary source into the nature of differentiation with microevolution as well as evidence of selective pressure influencing their adaptations.
Trilobite fossils are one of the most common fossils to be retrieved. It is believed that their widespread population as well as their ocean floor habitat ensured that many met the strict conditions for fossilisation- rapid burial in oceanic sediment after …show more content…
Cases of trilobite differentiation resulting in more protective adaptations such as the ‘rolling defence’ mechanism provide evidence of a predatory element in the ecosystem, an element subsequently discovered later in the fossil record and termed ‘Anomalocaris’. Anomalocaris appears to have taken advantage of the sheer population of trilobites and successfully predated them throughout much of their timeline. Harder shells and improved visual receptors allowed trilobites to evade or survive attack more efficiently, however at approx 250 Million years ago, a mass extinction event resulted in the loss of the trilobite as a species- after 270 million years of domination of the early marine
Improved understanding of the type of fossilised arthropod known as a ‘Trilobite’ allowed for subsequent increases in development of the theory of evolution. Since it’s initial drawing by Rev. Edward Llwyd in 1698, multiple improvements in technology as well as collection of specimens have painted a detailed portait of the nature of trilobites as well as evidence of their diversification- solidifying the theory of evolution well into the 20th century. The trilobite is an incredibly valuable resource as a primary source into the nature of differentiation with microevolution as well as evidence of selective pressure influencing their adaptations.
Trilobite fossils are one of the most common fossils to be retrieved. It is believed that their widespread population as well as their ocean floor habitat ensured that many met the strict conditions for fossilisation- rapid burial in oceanic sediment after …show more content…
Cases of trilobite differentiation resulting in more protective adaptations such as the ‘rolling defence’ mechanism provide evidence of a predatory element in the ecosystem, an element subsequently discovered later in the fossil record and termed ‘Anomalocaris’. Anomalocaris appears to have taken advantage of the sheer population of trilobites and successfully predated them throughout much of their timeline. Harder shells and improved visual receptors allowed trilobites to evade or survive attack more efficiently, however at approx 250 Million years ago, a mass extinction event resulted in the loss of the trilobite as a species- after 270 million years of domination of the early marine