Extinct Marine Life: Fossil Evidence and Ecological Impacts

This exam scrutinizes the fossil evidence of extinct marine organisms, including invertebrates and early vertebrates, to assess their ecological roles within prehistoric environments. It emphasizes their adaptations and extinction patterns.

Research into extinct marine life has vital ramifications for understanding biodiversity loss and ecological change across geological time. Insights from this field contribute to contemporary discussions on marine conservation and climate change effects on marine biodiversity.

Students will be evaluated on their ability to articulate patterns of extinction, adaptations of various marine taxa, and implications for current marine ecosystems. Emphasis will be placed on synthesizing data from diverse fossil records.

Candidates may also be prompted to propose hypotheses regarding ecological shifts that could correlate with extinction events documented in the fossil record.