Question

Which sources would preserve the soft tissues of an early mammal? Check all that apply.

amber in Russia
frozen soil in the Arctic
shale in Virginia
sandstone in the Badlands
foraminifera in the ocean
ice sheets in Greenland

Answer 1

To preserve the soft tissues of an early mammal, the following sources would be likely candidates:

1. **Amber in Russia** - Amber is known for preserving soft tissues and ancient organisms, making it a good candidate for preservation.

2. **Frozen soil in the Arctic** - Permafrost can preserve soft tissues and complete specimens of organisms, providing excellent preservation conditions.

3. **Ice sheets in Greenland** - Similar to frozen soil, ice can help preserve soft tissues, especially if the organisms are embedded in the ice.

The other options:

- **Shale in Virginia** - While it can preserve fossils, it is less likely to preserve soft tissues compared to the above sources.
- **Sandstone in the Badlands** - Sandstone typically does not preserve soft tissues well.
- **Foraminifera in the ocean** - Foraminifera are microscopic organisms; they would not preserve soft tissues of larger mammals.

So, the suitable sources for preserving soft tissues are **amber in Russia**, **frozen soil in the Arctic**, and **ice sheets in Greenland**.