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because they changed slowly through time(:

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Why did scientists use trilobites as index fossils?

Scientists used trilobites as index fossils because they were abundant, had a wide distribution, and had a relatively short existence in the fossil record. This made them useful for correlating rock layers from different locations and determining the relative ages of the rocks.


Trilobites are index fossils because they?

because they change slowly through time


What is the importance of index fossils?

Index fossils are the fossils of short-lived species which, because of their short lives, can be used by scientists to identify the age of the rock strata in which they're found. (For example, if you know a certain species only lived in the Cambrian period, and you find some fossils of this species in some rock, then you know the other fossils you find in that rock must also have come from the Cambrian period.) Some examples of species that left behind index fossils, and their related historical periods, are:Billingsella corrugagta - Cambrian period, Palaeozoic eraCactocrinus multibrachiatus - Mississippian period, Palaeozoic eraScaphites hippocrepia - Cretaceous period, Mesozoic eraNeptunea tabulata - Quarternary period, Cenozoic eraSee the links below for more examples and info.


Why do scientists study trilobites?

So that we can learn more about ancient earth.


What are the three criteria that must be met in order for a fossil to be considered an index fossil?

An index fossil is organisms that is a signature for certain geographical eras. Index fossils are a charting of time that is used to describe other organisms found in that time era. The fossils were found in the stones that are determinations by carbon indexing and therefore are index fossils.

Related Questions

Why can trilobites be used as index fossils?

Trilobites: The Index Fossil There are many thousands of known species of trilobite fossils found worldwide. Trilobites are considered to be good index fossils because they evolved so rapidly, and this allows geologists the ability to date the rocks in which the trilobites are found. The discovery of trilobites is second only to the discovery of dinosaurs, and new species of trilobites are still being discovered today.


Fossils such as trilobites that can be used to estabish the age of rocks are called?

I think they are called Index Fossils...


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rocks?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


Why did scientists use trilobites as index fossils?

Scientists used trilobites as index fossils because they were abundant, had a wide distribution, and had a relatively short existence in the fossil record. This made them useful for correlating rock layers from different locations and determining the relative ages of the rocks.


What are index fossil and how are they used to determined the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


What are some examples for index fossils that begin with the letter T?

trilobites


Trilobites are index fossils because they?

because they change slowly through time


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


How paleontologists use trilobites fossils as index fossils for various geologic time periods?

Trilobites were rapidly evolving and widespread marine organisms that spanned a number of geologic time periods. Certain types of trilobites only appeared in specific segments of geologic time; therefore, when one of these trilobites is found, you can be certain that the rock layer it is found in is of a certain geologic age.


Which are the remains of species that existed on Earth for relatively short periods of time were abundant and were wide spread geographically?

Trilobites are an example of remains from a species that existed for relatively short periods of time, were abundant, and were geographically widespread. Trilobites lived from the Early Cambrian to the Late Permian period, spanning over 270 million years, and were diverse and numerous in marine environments worldwide. Their fossils are commonly found in rocks around the world.


What is the index fossil of the Cambrian?

Trilobites are one of the index fossils commonly found in Cambrian rock layers. These ancient arthropods lived in the seas during the Cambrian period and are used by geologists as markers for dating rocks from that time period.


What are types of fossils?

Trilobites, Ammonites