Question
This type of trilobite is an index fossil that lived about 440 million years ago. Fossils of the trilobite and the brittle star were found in the same rock layer. What can you infer about these two organisms?
A They are likely younger than the rock layer.
B They likely lived in different habitats.
C They likely lived at the same time.
D They are likely closely related.
A They are likely younger than the rock layer.
B They likely lived in different habitats.
C They likely lived at the same time.
D They are likely closely related.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The correct inference is **C: They likely lived at the same time.**
Index fossils are used to identify and date the geological periods in which they lived. Since both the trilobite and the brittle star were found in the same rock layer and trilobites are known to have lived around 440 million years ago, it can be inferred that the brittle star also lived during that time.
Index fossils are used to identify and date the geological periods in which they lived. Since both the trilobite and the brittle star were found in the same rock layer and trilobites are known to have lived around 440 million years ago, it can be inferred that the brittle star also lived during that time.
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