The Paleozoic Era is the Age of which organisms?

The Paleozoic Era is the Age of which organisms?

• A. Fishes
• B. Reptiles
• C. Mammals
• D. Dinosaurs

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how the fossil record shows life diversifying during the Paleozoic, with fishes becoming the most abundant and ecologically successful animals in the seas. The Devonian period within this era is especially famous for a burst of jawed fishes and a wide range of fish lineages, which is why this era is commonly called the Age of Fishes. Reptiles, mammals, and dinosaurs appear later—reptiles and the very first mammals show up toward the end of the Paleozoic, but the major, defining diversification that earns the nickname happens with fishes.

The main idea here is how the fossil record shows life diversifying during the Paleozoic, with fishes becoming the most abundant and ecologically successful animals in the seas. The Devonian period within this era is especially famous for a burst of jawed fishes and a wide range of fish lineages, which is why this era is commonly called the Age of Fishes. Reptiles, mammals, and dinosaurs appear later—reptiles and the very first mammals show up toward the end of the Paleozoic, but the major, defining diversification that earns the nickname happens with fishes.