/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 53 Biogeography is the study of bio... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 18: Problem 53

Biogeography is the study of biological species as they relate to geographical space and geological time. The fossil record shows that dinosaurs originated about 200 to 250 million years ago. Would you expect the geographic distribution of early dinosaur fossils to be broad (on many continents) or narrow (on one or a few continents)? Explain. a. broad because dinosaurs originated before the breakup of Pangaea b. broad because some dinosaurs could fly between continents c. narrow because they went extinct too quickly to disperse very far d. narrow because they lived so long ago that the fossils have mostly broken down or disappeared

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. broad because dinosaurs originated before Pangaea broke up

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Question

Identify what the question is asking: Determine the expected geographic distribution of early dinosaur fossils and provide a logical explanation for the reasoning.
02

Review the Concept of Biogeography

Biogeography is the study of biological species in relation to geographical space and geological time. Consider how the ancient supercontinent Pangaea influences species distribution.
03

Analyze the Fossil Record

The fossil record indicates dinosaurs originated about 200 to 250 million years ago. Recognize the timing in relation to Pangaea's existence.
04

Evaluate Each Answer Option

a. Broad distribution as dinosaurs lived before Pangaea broke up. b. Broad distribution due to flying dinosaurs. c. Narrow distribution because dinosaurs went extinct quickly. d. Narrow distribution due to the age of fossils.
05

Consider the Supercontinent Pangaea

Pangaea existed until about 175 million years ago. Therefore, dinosaurs lived on a single landmass before it split into separate continents.
06

Select the Correct Answer

Since dinosaurs originated when continents were still joined, initially their fossils would be spread broadly across Pangaea, supporting option a.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Pangaea
Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed about 300 to 175 million years ago during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. This enormous landmass included almost all the Earth's landmasses joined together. Considering Pangaea helps us understand the broad geologic and geographic factors that influenced species distribution during that time.
When dinosaurs first evolved, Pangaea had not yet begun to break apart. This continental configuration meant that dinosaurs could roam freely across this massive landmass without encountering the barriers of oceans.
As the supercontinent started to break into smaller continents around 175 million years ago, the geographic distribution of species began to change. This break-up led to the isolation of species and the development of distinct faunas on the resulting continents. Thus, studying Pangaea is critical for understanding early dinosaur biogeography and fossil distribution.
Fossil Distribution
Fossil distribution helps us trace out where different species lived and how they moved across the Earth during various periods. Fossils are naturally preserved remains or traces of organisms, and they provide essential clues about the past.
When we analyze the fossil distribution of dinosaurs, we often find them broadly spread across various locations. This broad distribution is because they lived during a period when all landmasses were connected as Pangaea.
As Pangaea started to break apart, we began to see more regional differentiation in the fossil record, corresponding to the isolation of biogeographical regions. For early dinosaurs, however, their fossils appear across large areas, indicating their widespread presence on this connected landmass.
Geological Time
Geological time provides a framework to understand the history of the Earth and the life it sustains. It is divided into several eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages.
The time frame in which dinosaurs lived is primarily within the Mesozoic Era, which spans from about 252 to 66 million years ago. This era is further divided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
Dinosaurs first appeared during the late Triassic Period, around 200 to 250 million years ago. Understanding geological time helps us realize that when dinosaurs emerged, Pangaea was still intact. Therefore, their early fossils are distributed across the vast landmass that characterized Earth during this time, leading to a broader distribution pattern seen today.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A friend says: 鈥淣atural selection is about the survival of the very fittest in a population. The fittest are those that are strongest, largest, fastest.鈥� Would you agree with that statement? Explain. What evidence from scientific disciplines can you offer to support your agreement or your disagreement? a. The statement is true. If an organism is not strong and fast, it will not survive long enough to reproduce and pass on its genes, and if it is not large and fitter than the other individuals around it then it will not be able to compete for a mate. Many seal species, for example, have only a single male who gets to mate. He must be the very fittest seal to win all the females. b. The very fittest organisms are not necessarily the ones that survive. Sometimes it is the least fit organisms that survive and reproduce. For example, in one generation the mice who are bad at foraging for seeds may reproduce prolifically and dominate the mice who are good at foraging. In this case, natural selection will select for the less-fit phenotype and spread it in the population. c. The definition of fitness is not correct. The strongest and fastest organisms are more fit than the weaker and slower ones, but large individuals are often at a disadvantage to smaller ones because they are easily spotted by predators. For example, a large rabbit will stick out on a field more than a small one and will get eaten by a hawk. d. What is meant by 鈥渇ittest鈥� is not necessarily strong, large, and fast. Fitness, as defined in evolutionary terms, has to do with survival and the reproduction of genetic material. For example, a small but showy male bird may be selected by female birds to reproduce, while a large but less colorful one is not.

Which statement best describes the relationship between the theory of evolution and the origin of life? a. The theory includes an explanation of life鈥檚 origins. b. The theory cannot explain the origin of life. c. The theory does not try to explain the origin of life. d. The theory does not contribute understanding to pre-life processes.

The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. Thus, life has evolved, and continues to evolve, randomly. Which statement is an appropriately evidence-based refinement of the above? a. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of natural selection, which results in adaptations like the fit between a flower and its pollinator, favors variants which are better able to survive and reproduce. Natural selection is not random, so the overall process of evolution is not random, either. b. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of migration, which results in gene flow between populations, also generates genetic variation. Migration is not random, so the overall process of evolution is not random, either. c. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of sexual reproduction, which also introduces genetic variance, is not random. Because sexual reproduction is not random, the overall process of evolution is not random, either. d. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. Whether mutations have a positive, negative, or neutral effect in terms of selective advantage is also random. Mutations and their effects are random, so the overall process of evolution is random.

Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light- colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light- colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. Which of the following aspects of Darwin鈥檚 theory of evolution does the story of the peppered moth most clearly illustrate? a. There is competition for resources in an overbred population. b. There is great variability among members of a population. c. There is differential reproduction of individuals with favorable traits. d. The majority of characteristics of organisms are inherited.

Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. Commonly used in biology textbooks, the peppered moth is a classic example of evolutionary change in action. The example describes changes in a population鈥檚 allele frequencies-a small-scale change, evolutionarily speaking. The presence of both light and dark forms within the gene pool is demonstrated by the story, but the peppered moth stays a peppered moth. Which scenario, if it were to occur, would be a model for large-scale evolutionary change? a. Conditions change such that the dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is diminished in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable, and the light form returns to prevalence. b. Conditions change such that the dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is eradicated in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable, and the dark form is eradicated due to predation. c. Conditions change such that dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is diminished in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, and both forms have equal prevalence. d. Conditions change such that dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is eradicated in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable. It develops an adaptation that shields it from predation.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Biological Processes

Read Explanation

Microbiology

Read Explanation

Astrobiological Science

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation

Ecological Levels

Read Explanation

Cellular Energetics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.