Chapter 16: Problem 1

What important groups of Paleozoic marine animals were absent from Triassic seas?

Short Answer

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Important groups of Paleozoic marine animals that were absent from Triassic seas include trilobites, tabulate corals, and rugose corals, as they went extinct at the end of the Paleozoic era. Additionally, although brachiopods, crinoids, and bryozoans survived the extinction event, their diversity and dominance were significantly reduced in the Triassic period.

Step by step solution

Understanding Paleozoic Marine Life

Paleozoic era spans from around 542 million years ago to 251 million years ago. During this time, marine life was diverse and numerous invertebrate groups flourished. Some dominant groups of the Paleozoic era include trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids, bryozoans, and corals.

Understanding Triassic Marine Life

The Triassic period spans from 251 million years ago to around 199 million years ago. It was the first period of the Mesozoic era and occurred after the massive extinction event that marked the end of the Paleozoic era. The marine life in Triassic seas was quite different from that of the Paleozoic. It was marked by a reduction in many taxa and the beginning of the recovery of marine ecosystems. Some dominant groups during this time included the ammonoids, which replaced the extinct goniatites, and some early reptiles like the ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.

Comparing Paleozoic and Triassic Marine Life to Identify Absent Groups

By comparing the groups of marine animals that dominated both the Paleozoic era and the Triassic period, we will be able to identify which important groups of Paleozoic marine animals were absent from Triassic seas. From the given information, we can see that some important Paleozoic groups like trilobites, tabulate corals, and rugose corals went extinct at the end of the Paleozoic era and were absent from Triassic seas. On the other hand, groups like brachiopods, crinoids, and bryozoans survived the extinction event, but their diversity and dominance were greatly reduced in the Triassic period.

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What important groups of Paleozoic marine animals were absent from Triassic seas?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Paleozoic Marine Life

Understanding Triassic Marine Life

Comparing Paleozoic and Triassic Marine Life to Identify Absent Groups

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