Chapter 25.4, Problem 3CC

Summary Introduction

To explain: How the fossil record was recorded for a rare or abundant species during catastrophic event of mass extinction.

Concept introduction: The large number of species is becoming extinct throughout all geographic locations of the earth and is called as mass extinction of species. This extinct species is documented in the fossil record. This mass extinction is mainly due to the destruction of species habitat and changes in environmental conditions, which is not favorable to the species.

About 50% of marine species have become extinct, as well as plants and animals. Mass extinction changes the ecological communities and there is disappearance of evolutionary lineage between the species. It requires more than 5 million years to recover from a mass extinction. Thus, it promotes the adaptive radiation to recover from mass extinction.