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Fossils are direct evidence of life. In the search for the earliest life, fossils are often supplemented by geochemical evidence. The fossil record does not extend as far back as the geochemical record due to metamorphic processes that erase fossils from geologic units.
There exists evidence for vertebrate speciation despite limitations imposed by the fossil record. Studies have been conducted documenting similar patterns seen in marine invertebrates. [ 217 ] For example, extensive research documenting rates of morphological change, evolutionary trends, and speciation patterns in small mammals has ...
The fossils themselves are referred to as the fossil record. The fossil record was one of the early sources of data underlying the study of evolution and continues to be relevant to the history of life on Earth. Paleontologists examine the fossil record to understand the process of evolution and the way particular species have evolved.
In 1972, fragmentary fossils of anatomically modern humans were found at Chouqu and Gangzilin, in Zuojhen District, Tainan, in fossil beds exposed by erosion of the Cailiao River. Though some of the fragments are believed to be more recent, three cranial fragments and a molar tooth have been dated as between 20,000 and 30,000 years old.
However, there exists some controversy amongst paleontologists about tangible links between fossil evidence of extinct species and modern-day elephant species. This calls to question their status ...
Mammoths appear in the fossil record. 4.5 Ma Marine iguanas diverge from land iguanas. 4 Ma Australopithecus evolves. Stupendemys appears in the fossil record as the largest freshwater turtle, first modern elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, rhinoceros and gazelles appear in the fossil record 3.6 Ma Blue whales grow to modern size. 3 Ma ...
The list of fossils begins with Graecopithecus, dated some 7.2 million years ago, which may or may not still be ancestral to both the human and the chimpanzee lineage. For the earlier history of the human lineage, see Timeline of human evolution#Hominidae , Hominidae#Phylogeny .
The animal’s fossil records date back 225 million years, predating the previously confirmed first mammal by approximately 20 million years.