Mesozoic Era - From Reptiles to Birds and the Origin of Mammals

Question 1

What are the similarities between Birds and Reptiles?

Answer 1

(1) Lay shelled, yolked eggs
(2) Both share several skeletal characteristics, such as the way the jaw attaches to the skull

Question 2

In 1860, 10 fossils were recovered from the Solnhofen Limestone. What did the fossils have that provided evidence for reptile-bird relationship?

Answer 2

Feathers and a Wishbone

Question 3

Birds resemble small __________ dinosaurs

Answer 3

Theropod

Question 4

These are ramarkable fossils, which are birds by definition, but their numerous reptilian features convince scientists that their ancestors were among theropods

Answer 4

Archaeopteryx

Question 5

Crow-sized fossils from Upper Triassic rocks in Texas that had hollow bones and a wishbone.

Answer 5

Protoavis

Question 6

Mammal-like reptiles

Answer 6

Therapsids

Question 7

The most mammal-like of all Therapsids

Answer 7

Cynodonts

Question 8

When did true mammals evolve from Cynodonts?

Answer 8

Late Triassic

Question 9

Ancestor of monotremes, or egg-laying mammals

Answer 9

Triconodonts

Question 10

Ancestors of marsupials and placental mammals

Answer 10

Eupantotheres

Question 11

A Mass extinction where 53% of Marine genera and 80% of marine species went extinct.

Answer 11

Triassic-Jurassic Mass Extinction

Question 12

A Mass Extinction where 76% of all species: Dinosaurs and ammonites went extinct.

Answer 12

Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction

Question 13

Possible cause of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction

Answer 13

Meteorite Impact

Question 14

Evidences of the Meteorite Impact during the Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction

Answer 14

(1) Iridium Layer (KPg Boundary)
(2) Chicxulub Crater