Question:
Which one of the following options denotes the time when the majority of animal phyla first appeared in the fossil record? (MYA = Million Years Ago)
Which one of the following options denotes the time when the majority of animal phyla first appeared in the fossil record? (MYA = Million Years Ago)
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The Cambrian explosion around 550 MYA marked the appearance of most of the major animal phyla in the fossil record.
Updated On: Nov 27, 2025
- 65 MYA
- 250 MYA
- 550 MYA
- 700 MYA
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the fossil record.
The majority of animal phyla first appeared during the Cambrian period, which is around 550 million years ago (MYA). This is known as the Cambrian explosion, a period of rapid diversification of life forms.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) 65 MYA: This is around the time of the dinosaur extinction, not the appearance of animal phyla.
- (B) 250 MYA: This is the time of the Permian-Triassic extinction event, not the appearance of animal phyla.
- (C) 550 MYA: Correct, the Cambrian explosion occurred around this time.
- (D) 700 MYA: This is before the Cambrian period, during the Ediacaran period, but it is not the time of the appearance of most animal phyla.
The majority of animal phyla first appeared during the Cambrian period, which is around 550 million years ago (MYA). This is known as the Cambrian explosion, a period of rapid diversification of life forms.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) 65 MYA: This is around the time of the dinosaur extinction, not the appearance of animal phyla.
- (B) 250 MYA: This is the time of the Permian-Triassic extinction event, not the appearance of animal phyla.
- (C) 550 MYA: Correct, the Cambrian explosion occurred around this time.
- (D) 700 MYA: This is before the Cambrian period, during the Ediacaran period, but it is not the time of the appearance of most animal phyla.
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