Step 3: Phylogeny and Stratigraphy
New fossils have been discovered! As in the previous step, you have to add them to your phylogenetic tree. Some of the fossils lack data about their age. You will have to apply stratigraphy techniques to discover their age.
Task 1: Third Fossil Record
Print the document Third Fossil Record and cut off the Caminalcules.
Include them in the Phylogenetic tree from the previous step.
Try to establish their evolutionary relationships, taking into account their similarities and ages.
Use the Faunistic successions to establish the ages lacking in your Fossil Record.
About Stratigraphy
Sedimentary rocks are the result of the accumulation and compression of sediments along time, forming layers (strata) and often including fossils.
In sedimentary rocks, modern layers are situated above ancient layers, this giving hints about the respective age of the fossils contained in each layer.
Key Principles
- Law of Superposition: Older layers are found below younger layers
- Law of Faunistic Succession: Fossil assemblages succeed each other in a definite and determinable order
Documents
- Third Fossil Record
- Classification and Evolution
- Faunistic Successions