Cryptobranchus, Living Fossil
by Science Source
Title
Cryptobranchus, Living Fossil
Artist
Science Source
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Little has changed in the morphology of the Cryptobranchidae since the time of these fossils, leaving researchers to note extant cryptobranchid salamanders can be regarded as living fossils whose structures have remained little changed for over 160 million years. This animal appeared during Cenozoic era, the most recent era of geologic time, from about 65 million years ago to the present. The Cenozoic Era is characterized by the formation of modern continents and the diversification of mammals and plants. Grasses also evolved during the Cenozoic. The climate was warm and tropical toward the beginning of the era and cooled significantly in the second half, leading to several ice ages. Humans first appeared near the end of this era.
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March 7th, 2013
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