Common Fossils Study Guide

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What is a Trilobite?

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A Trilobite is an extinct marine arthropod that lived during the Paleozoic era, known for its three-lobed body structure.

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What is a Crinoid?

Back

A Crinoid is a marine animal related to starfish and sea urchins, characterized by a cup-shaped body and feathery arms used for feeding.

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What is a Brachiopod?

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A Brachiopod is a marine animal with two shells, similar to clams, that has existed for hundreds of millions of years.

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What is a Cephalopod?

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A Cephalopod is a class of mollusks that includes squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish, known for their intelligence and ability to change color.

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What is a Gastropod?

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A Gastropod is a class of mollusks that includes snails and slugs, characterized by a single, usually spiraled shell and a distinct head.

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What is Horn Coral?

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Horn Coral is a type of coral that resembles a horn and is known for its hard, calcareous skeleton, often found in fossil records.

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What era did Trilobites primarily exist in?

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Trilobites primarily existed during the Paleozoic era, particularly in the Cambrian and Ordovician periods.

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How do Crinoids feed?

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Crinoids feed by using their feathery arms to capture plankton and small particles from the water.

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What distinguishes Brachiopods from Bivalves?

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Brachiopods have two shells of unequal size and different internal structures compared to Bivalves, which have two symmetrical shells.

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What adaptations do Cephalopods have for survival?

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Cephalopods have adaptations such as a highly developed nervous system, the ability to squirt ink, and camouflage capabilities.