Modern Zoology

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are together called Precambrian, because the first part of Palaeozoic is called
Cambrian. The Palaeozoic Mesozoic and Coenozoic Eras are further divided into
smaller time spans called periods, and the periods of Coenozoic Era are again divided
into epochs.
Geological Revolutions: Scientists hold that each era of earth's history started with a revolution or
cataclysm and ended with another. In these cataclysms, intense geological disturbances occurred upon
the earth; sea-bottom was raised as high mountains, while previous mountains receded into the ocean
depth. Most of the pre-existing organisms perished in each revolution, but the few remaining ones
evolved into a new world of varied organisms. Thus, the First Great Revolution is claimed to have
occurred between Archaeozoic and Proterozoic eras, the Second Great Revolu. tion between Proterozoic
and Palaeozoic eras, "Appalachian Revolution" between Palaeozoic and Mesozoic eras, and the "Rocky
Mountain Revolution" between Mesozoic and Coenozoic eras.

Age, geological conditions and the course of evolution through various eras of earth's
history are as follows:
(1) ARCHAEOZOIC ERA Age: This era began after the formation of
earth's crust, i.e., about 4 billion years ago. It continued for about 1.50
billion years.
Geological conditions: The earth was studded with actively erupting volcanoes.
Sedimentation started in the ocean.
Fauna and Flora: This was the “Era of invisible life”, i.e., of micro-organisms. "Life"
originated and the earliest prokaryotes (Kingdom Monera of Haeckel) and Eukaryotes
(Kingdom Protista of Haeckel) evolved in primitive ocean. Being extremely soft, these
organisms mostly escaped fossilization. Yet, a three billion years old bacterium-like
(Eobacterium isolatum) and a 3.2 billion years old blue-green alga-like
(Archaeospheroides barbertonensis) fossils have been excavated from "Fig Tree
Formations” of South Africa in the years 1966 and 1968 respectively.
(2) PROTEROZOIC ERA
27200 Age: Began 2.5 billion years ago; continued for about 1.93 billion years.
Geological conditions: Volcanic eruptions, rich sedimentation, cooling and glaciation.
Fauna and Flora: In the first part of this era, bacteria, blue-green algae and protozoans
(mostly shelled radiolarians) flourished in the primitive ocean. In the latter part, marine
algae and fungi, varied forms of marine invertebrate metazoans, such as sponges,
cnidarians (jelly fishes and corals), annelids, molluscs and arthropods, evolved. A few
fossils of this era have been excavated.
(3) PALAEOZOIC ERA biod This era started about 57 crore years ago and continued for
about 34 croreyears. Land elevation and formation of some high mountain ranges
divided the primitive ocean into large seas. The era is marked by migration of some
oceanic organisms onto the land. Thereafter, a rapid evolution of plant and animal forms
occurred. Due to all these important changes, this era is divided into six periods as
follows:

2020/11/30 20:07