Paleozoic Era
Paleozoic Era: 544-245 million years ago
Paleozoic Summary: The Paleozoic Era was a time period of great changes on Earth. It marks the beginning of an explosion of life forms including complex multicellular life forms like fish, tetrapods, amphibians and many types of reptiles. Many of todays species ancestors were established during this period. This period ended with the Paleozoic mass extinction which wiped out about 95% of all life in the oceans on Earth.
GEOLOGIC EVENTS
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Ancient Continents South of the Equator
544 MYA
Ancient continents lie south of the equator and were surrounded by shallow seas where todays Indian Ocean is.
544 MYA
Ancient continents lie south of the equator and were surrounded by shallow seas where todays Indian Ocean is.
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Ice Cap Covers North America
505 MYA
Earth's temperature dropped low enough so there could be icecaps all over North America.
505 MYA
Earth's temperature dropped low enough so there could be icecaps all over North America.
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Appalachian Mountains Form
360 MYA
Early continents collide with North America forming mountains. North America and Eurasian plates collide forming the Appalachian Mountains.
360 MYA
Early continents collide with North America forming mountains. North America and Eurasian plates collide forming the Appalachian Mountains.
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Pangea Forms
280 MYA
Continents join together and form Pangea. All land masses come together to form one super continent. Pangea's formation changed earth's climate and caused mass distinction.
280 MYA
Continents join together and form Pangea. All land masses come together to form one super continent. Pangea's formation changed earth's climate and caused mass distinction.
DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE EVENTS
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Vertebrates Arise
500 MYA
Jawless fish evolved. They were the first invertebrates. They had backbones.
500 MYA
Jawless fish evolved. They were the first invertebrates. They had backbones.
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Plants on Land
475 MYA
Plants such as the Psilophyte start to appear on land. Very small systems found in damp areas with sunlight.
475 MYA
Plants such as the Psilophyte start to appear on land. Very small systems found in damp areas with sunlight.
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Lungfish
416 MYA
Lungfish develop (primitive, air breathing fish) at this time. Lungfish are fish with air sacs. These fish were able to spend short time out of water and had strong fins.
416 MYA
Lungfish develop (primitive, air breathing fish) at this time. Lungfish are fish with air sacs. These fish were able to spend short time out of water and had strong fins.
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Insects
400 MYA
Insects and spiders appear. The dragonfly appears. Higher atmospheric oxygen levels allowed for increased respiratory efficiency at this time allowing insects to exist.
400 MYA
Insects and spiders appear. The dragonfly appears. Higher atmospheric oxygen levels allowed for increased respiratory efficiency at this time allowing insects to exist.
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Amphibians
360 MYA
First vertebrates reach land. First were arthropods spend some life cycle in 3 part body land. fed off land plants. Came from air breathing crossopterygian fish eggs required water adult could go on land.
360 MYA
First vertebrates reach land. First were arthropods spend some life cycle in 3 part body land. fed off land plants. Came from air breathing crossopterygian fish eggs required water adult could go on land.
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Reptiles
300 MYA
Amphibians gave rise to reptiles. First true reptiles appear. Reptiles have scaly skin. Eggs have leathery shell. Shell allowed them to be on land.
300 MYA
Amphibians gave rise to reptiles. First true reptiles appear. Reptiles have scaly skin. Eggs have leathery shell. Shell allowed them to be on land.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/5069455.jpg)
Paleozoic Mass Extinction
245 MYA
Mass extinction of many marine invertebrates. Pangea formed changing the climate and 95% of marine life was wiped out.
245 MYA
Mass extinction of many marine invertebrates. Pangea formed changing the climate and 95% of marine life was wiped out.