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## Evolution ### Formation and adaptive radiation of modern mammals The formation and adaptive radiation of modern mammals took place. Adaptive radiation of flowering plants also occurred. **Representative evolutionary history of vertebrates through geological periods:** | Geological Period |...

## Evolution ### Formation and adaptive radiation of modern mammals The formation and adaptive radiation of modern mammals took place. Adaptive radiation of flowering plants also occurred. **Representative evolutionary history of vertebrates through geological periods:** | Geological Period | Millions Years Ago | Key Events| |---|---|---| | Quaternary | 0 | Dinosaurs (Extinct), Therapsids (Extinct), Thecodonts (Extinct), Pelycosaurs (Extinct), Early Reptiles (Extinct), Lizards, Tuataras, Birds, Turtles, Snakes, Crocodiles, Mammals| | Tertiary | 50| | | Cretaceous | 100 | | | Jurassic | 150 | | | Triassic | 200 | | | Permian | 250 | Saurispsids, Synapsids| | Carboniferous | 300 | | | Early reptiles (extinct) | 350 | | **The Quarternary Period** The Quaternary Period spans 2 million years. It is divided into two Epochs: 1. The **Pleistocene Epoch**: Covers 2 million years, with great mammals becoming extinct. Primitive man with social life. 2. **Holocene or Recent Epoch** : Covers 0.01 million years. This is the epoch of modern man, who is dominant. It's also known as the **"Age of mammals, birds, fishes, insects and angiosperms"**. There is a rise of herbivorous plants and a decline in woody plants.