1. Fossil Record as Fair Test (Part II)
Evolution
Fossil Record as Fair Test (Part II)

2. Theory of Evolution All life on Earth descended from a common ancestor
Life originated as a simple form, and became more diverse and complex over time

3. Fossil Record
Represents ~ 4,000,000,000 year long record of the natural history of our planet

4. I. Evidence in the Fossil Record
Evidence that life changed through time: simple  complex
Evidence of change in one “type” of animal through the years
Transition species: evidence of “hybrids” between two types
99% of all life which has ever existed is now extinct

5. What does the fossil record tell us?
Life originated in a simple form and become more complex and diverse with time.
Example #1:
Example #2:
Example #3:

6. What does the fossil record tell us?
2) Organisms have changed over time
Changes within a “type” of animal:
Sea Urchins (video)
Horse (video -can you describe?)

7. Horse Transitions
Each branch tip on the tree of horse evolution indicates a different genus, though the feet of only a few genera are illustrated to show the reduction of toes through time.

8. What does the fossil record tell us?
2) “ One problem with the theory of evolution is the conspicuous lack of transition fossils”
Is this true?

9. Archaeopteryx

10. Other Transition Fossils
Transitions from one “type” into another:
Skulls: reptile/mammal “hybrids” (Why is this significant?)
Whale Transition Fossils (See pbs “evolution” series – cool show!)

11. Fossil Record: Evolution of Mammals
Skulls showing the changes in the jaw articulation and the ear region in the evolution from reptile to mammal.

12. Whale Transitions

13. Whale Transitional Forms

14. And, (Drum roll, please….)
Published April 6, 2006 ……
See

15. Fossil Called Missing Link From Sea to Land Animals
Model of Tiktaalik roseae, a 375 million year old fish with many amphibian-like features and foot-like bone structure in its fins that could have helped it pull itself through shallow water and even out of the water for brief periods

16. What does the fossil record tell us?
3) 99% of all organisms which have ever existed are now extinct!
(The life we observe today has not been the life through the ages!)