The Late Jurassic is the final stage of the Jurassic period, lasting from approximately 163 to 145 million years ago. This era is characterized by significant geological and biological developments, including the dominance of dinosaurs and the evolution of various marine reptiles, as well as a flourishing of gymnosperms and early angiosperms. The Late Jurassic is crucial for understanding the transitions in Earth's climate, ecosystems, and the evolution of flora and fauna during this dynamic period.
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During the Late Jurassic, dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates, with species like Brachiosaurus and Stegosaurus thriving in diverse ecosystems.
The Late Jurassic saw a warm climate with high sea levels, leading to widespread shallow seas that contributed to rich marine biodiversity.
Marine reptiles such as Plesiosaurus and Ichthyosaurus were prominent in ocean environments during this time.
The first true mammals appeared in the Late Jurassic, although they remained small and mostly nocturnal compared to the giant reptiles that dominated.
Floral diversity increased significantly during the Late Jurassic, with gymnosperms becoming widespread and the first flowering plants starting to emerge.
Review Questions
What were the main ecological characteristics of the Late Jurassic period that contributed to its rich biodiversity?
The Late Jurassic was marked by a warm climate and high sea levels, creating extensive shallow seas that supported diverse marine life. The flourishing of gymnosperms provided abundant vegetation on land, allowing herbivorous dinosaurs to thrive. This combination of terrestrial and marine environments resulted in an ecosystem with varied habitats that fostered a wide range of species, including both well-known dinosaurs and marine reptiles.
How did the breakup of Pangaea during the Late Jurassic influence dinosaur evolution and distribution?
As Pangaea began to fragment during the Late Jurassic, it led to the formation of distinct landmasses that isolated various dinosaur populations. This geographical separation contributed to divergent evolutionary paths for different groups of dinosaurs. New environments emerged as habitats changed due to climatic shifts, driving adaptations that resulted in a greater diversity of species across regions, including both large sauropods and smaller theropods.
Evaluate the impact of climatic conditions during the Late Jurassic on the evolution of both terrestrial and marine life.
The warm climate of the Late Jurassic played a significant role in shaping both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. High sea levels allowed for expansive shallow seas that enhanced marine biodiversity with an abundance of marine reptiles. On land, a variety of habitats supported large herbivorous dinosaurs while promoting plant diversity with increased gymnosperm prevalence. This interplay between climate and biology established a foundation for further evolutionary developments leading into the Cretaceous period.
The supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, which began to break apart during the Jurassic period, leading to significant geological changes.
Dinosaur Evolution: The process through which dinosaurs diversified into various groups during the Mesozoic Era, particularly thriving during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.