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Figure 47.6 Scientists measured the relative abundance ot fern spores above and below the K-Pg boundary in this reck sample. Which of the following statements most likely represents their findings?
- An abundance of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above.
Introduction:
The K-Pg extinction or K-T extinction called as Cretaceous Paleogene extinction eliminated 80% of all species of animals and plants about 66 million years ago. We can see at the boundary between the terrestrial and marine ecosystem, there were present high levels of iridium metal that was said to be from the asteroid that had hit earth. There was huge amount of organic matter that was obtained by the decay of destruction of plants leading to growth of fungi as these are saprophytic and thrived for many years.
Answer to Problem 1VCQ
Correct answer:
The correct answer is option (a) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation/justification for the correct answer:
Option (a) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above. During that period, there was the destruction of plants that lead to a proliferation of fungi as these are saprophytic and thrive on dead matter. The general environment was dominated by photosynthetic organisms namely ferns that lead to an increase in fern throughout the geological area. The spores were found below the boundary as it dominated over the other angiosperm pollen grains.
Explanation for incorrect answers:
Option (b) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found below. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as these are saprophytic dominating the other angiosperms. The spores were found to below the boundary. Hence, this option is not correct.
Option (c) A lot of fern spores from several species was found both above and below the K-Pg boundary, but only one species was found below the boundary and many species were found above the boundary. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as these are saprophytic dominating the other angiosperms. The spores were found to below the boundary. Hence, this option is not correct.
Option (d) Many species of fern spores were found both above and below the boundary, but the total number of spores was greater below the boundary. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as the spore dispersal allowed to show dominance. Though the ferns faded, their spores were found below the boundary. There were many types of spores found and not only one. Hence, this option is not correct.
Scientists measured the relative abundance of fern spores above and below the K-Pg boundary in this rock sample. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as the spore dispersal allowed to show dominance. Though the ferns faded, their spores were found below the boundary.
Hence, the statement (a) is correct.
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