The First Bird

A fresh wave of fossils challenges the identity

of the first dino-bird.

◆ (^) Identify critical events on a time line of life on Earth and explain their evolutionary
importance.
◆ (^) Interpret an evolutionary tree of a group of organisms.
◆ (^) Explain how new scientific data may change an evolutionary tree without challenging
our understanding of evolution.
◆ (^) Classify a given species at each level of the Linnaean system.
◆ (^) Give an example of an adaptation that enabled a group of organisms to transition
from an aquatic existence to life on land.
◆ (^) Describe the impact of prehistoric mass extinctions on Earth’s biodiversity, and infer
the likely impact of the current extinction rate on biodiversity.
After reading this chapter you should be able to: