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The length of time is not as critical as the traits of being widespread, rapidly evolving, and observable only during a specific period of time.
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∙ 14y ago
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What is the relative age of a fossil that can be determined by comparing it to an index fossil is called?
becaues it is that they been around so long
Which is not a factor in a fossil organism being useful as an index fossil?
it must have lived through a long span of time
What does the term living fossil mean?
A living fossil generally refers to a living organism, animal or plant, whose species has been around long enough on the planet to be part of the fossil record. Most fossilized species are extinct, but there are a few which are either still in existence, or have descendents which closely resemble them.
Would horseshoe crabs be useful as an index fossils?
No, Index fossils are used to date certain rock layers where the fossil is found. So it's usefull when you can find a certain index fossil only in a small period of time. So you can get the most precise dating for the rock layer. Horseshoe crabs are known as a 'living fossil', the first fossils of horse shoe crabs are found 450 millions years ago. So when you find a fossil of a horse shoe crab in a rock or sediment, you can't say anything about the age of the rock.
What is living fossil mean?
To become a fossil, something must have died a very long time ago, as the process of fossilization takes eons. When people talk about a "living fossil" they are talking about a species which has been around unchanged long enough for members of that species to become fossils, like a coelacanth. Or more jocularly, you might be making fun of someone because of their age. ("Mr. Overthwaite, the math teacher? He's been teaching here forever. He's a living fossil!")
To be useful as an index fossil fuel spices must have existed for how long?
To be useful as an index fossil fuel, spices must have existed for about 1000 years.
What makes a species a good index fossil?
An index fossil is used as an indicator of which era/epoch was preserved. The major characteristic necessary to be an index fossil include abundance, widely distributed, but lived for a short period of time.
What is the relative age of a fossil that can be determined by comparing it to an index fossil is called?
becaues it is that they been around so long
Which is not a factor in a fossil organism being useful as an index fossil?
it must have lived through a long span of time
What word refers to traces of an organism that existed in the past?
A fossil is a trace of an organism that lived long ago.
What is species stability?
species that have existed in a community for a long time is said to have attained stability. :)
How long have humans been evolving?
Homo sapiens, as a species, have existed for about 300,000 years. Hominids as a whole have existed for about 14,000,000 years.
Why are the Eurypterids in these cross sections not useful as index fossils?
The Eurypterids in these cross sections not useful as index fossil because they are only found in certain areas are a long lived organism
How long has plantae been on earth?
The fossil record shows that the kingdom Plantae has existed on Earth for 520 million years.
How do you identify a index fossil?
By using relative age. Over a long period of time, sediment will, layer by layer, coat and cover the fossil, making it difficult for paleontologists and scientists to figure out how old the fossil really is.
How long have species that live under water existed?
Some before the dinosaurs,any better answers?
What does the term fossil mean?
A living fossil generally refers to a living organism, animal or plant, whose species has been around long enough on the planet to be part of the fossil record. Most fossilized species are extinct, but there are a few which are either still in existence, or have descendents which closely resemble them.
