Author Question: How has fossil diversity changed over time? Why do diversity trends differ among taxonomic levels? ... (Read 56 times)

newbem · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

How has fossil diversity changed over time? Why do diversity trends differ among taxonomic levels?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The ________ connects Afghanistan to China.

A) Indus River
B) Wakhan Corridor
C) Aral Sea
D) Opium Superhighway

adf223 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

There has been a general increase in diversity, punctuated by more rapid intervals of diversity decline and recovery. Diversity trends depend on taxonomic levels because for a given volume of sedimentary rock, it is much more likely to find one fossil of a higher taxonomic group (i.e., family) than it is to find one fossil of a lower taxonomic group (i.e., species). Thus, at the lower taxonomic levels, the presence or absence of the taxonomic group is more likely to be affected by the volume of rock available for study. Since the availability of sedimentary rocks changes through time, the time dependence of diversity is affected by the taxonomic level in question.

Answer to Question 2

B