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Shells are much more materially, and specially, dense [with Ca++] than are the thin spines and even thinner ribs of uncommon fossils - from the paleontologist's point of view, they last longer.

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13y ago
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14y ago

This is because they are made up of harder, more dense substances than the animal's flesh and organs. It therefore takes longer to decay allowing a much greater chance of fossilisation.

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Q: Why are most common index fossils shells of invertebrates?
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Related questions

What makes a good index?

fossils that are common and are found in rare places on earth


Fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

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.


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.


What are the three types of fossils and how they are formed?

Fossils can form from pretty much anything. They normally form from animals fish and objects such as jewelry. Fossils are very unique things and show us what happened in history :) booooooooooggggggggggggiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee mmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnn is a fossil as well ;)


Why are index fossils more useful then other fossils to paleontologist?

It is because the index fossils has better minds than the paleontologist.


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.


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

They are called index fossils, an aid to relative dating of rock.


What is fossils organisms that lived a short period of time called?

They are called index fossils.


How is an index fossil helpful to paleontologist?

Index fossils are the remains of organisms that lived during a very specific and well-defined time span, and are able to be recognized from various, distant locations; hence, they are usually marine invertebrates like trilobites or ammonites. They are able to provide a means of dating fossils found with them or in layers above and below them.


How do geologists use index fossils to determine rock age?

Index fossils, also known as zone or guide fossils, help date strata and sediment to determine the age of entrapment. The best index fossils are those that were abundant , common, and short lived.


What do scientists use index fossils for?

Geologists use index fossils to define and identify geologic periods.