THE 10 MOST RELEVANT ANIMALS OF THE PALEOZOIC ERA - BIOLOGY - 2025

Some of the animals of the Paleozoic era are placoderms, trilobites, cockroaches, and pelycosaurs. This era began 542 million years ago and ended 251 million years ago.

During the Paleozoic era, the supercontinent Pangea was formed and large reptiles began to dominate the world.

Some of the animals that inhabited the Earth during the Paleozoic now exist as species that have evolved over time.

However, a large number of the species that existed in that era do not currently exist.

The 10 most representative animals of the Paleozoic era

1- Placoderm

These are a class of primitive fish that arose and disappeared during the Paleozoic.

Placoderms are the first vertebrate animals to have a jaw, which is why they marked a very important point in the evolution of animals.

2- Archeociato

Archaeocytes were cylindrical-shaped animals that existed during the Paleozoic era.

Currently fossils of these animals can be found on all continents. These fossils are believed to have formed reefs in the past.

3- Meganeura

Millions of years ago there was a species of dragonfly called meganeura, which dominated the skies with a wingspan of almost one meter and a length of 70 centimeters.

This carnivore is the largest flying insect ever discovered by man.

4- Arthropleura

This is a genus of invertebrates that lived in what is now North America and Scotland.

These animals are the largest invertebrates recorded by man in history. It is believed that they were similar to a giant millipede and lived in humid forests.

5- Trilobite

Trilobites are currently considered the most characteristic fossils of the Paleozoic era due to the large number of species that can be described based on the fossils obtained.

These animals are considered an independent group within the arthropods. It is said that they appeared at the beginning of the Paleozoic era, in the Cambrian (541 million years ago), and disappeared before the arrival of the dinosaurs.

6- Thisanuro

The name Thysanuro is the informal term used to recognize the ancient order Thysanura.

They are currently known as zygentoma. They are an order of insects that measure no more than 2 centimeters and began to inhabit the Earth in the Devonian.

7- Ephemericopter

Ephemeroptera are among the recorded giant insects of the Paleozoic Era. Its fossils reveal a wingspan of around 18 inches, with wings that do not fold into its abdomen.

They are called "ephemeral" because of the short life they have.

8- Cockroaches

This insect, which can be seen commonly on a day-to-day basis, has a great history. Thanks to its ability to survive, it has inhabited the Earth for millions of years.

The earliest recorded fossils resembling blatodeans (the order of insects where cockroaches are found) date from the Carboniferous period.

9- Pelicosaurus

Pelycosaurs were an order of amniotes that appeared in the Carboniferous. These are considered mammals despite their great resemblance to reptiles.

Some had dorsal candles, which are believed to regulate their body temperature, releasing or capturing heat.

10- Archosaurs

This is a group of animals that emerged at the end of the Paleozoic, from which crocodiles and birds come.

Certain people deny the kinship of dinosaurs with archosaurs; however, the similarity between the characteristics of both casts doubt on the fact that there is no relationship between dinosaurs and archosaurs.

References

1. "Animals of the Paleozoic Era" in: Encyclopedia of Examples (2017) Retrieved: November 25, 2017 from Encyclopedia of Examples: examples.co
2. Short Notes "Insects - Paleozoic Era" in: CiberTareas. Retrieved on: November 25, 2017 from CiberTareas: cibertareas.info
3. "The origin of the dinosarurs: The archosaurs" (May 2007) in: Duoips. Retrieved on: November 25, 2017 from Duoips: duoips.net
4. "Pelicosaurio" in: EcuRed. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from EcuRed: ecured.cu
5. "What are trilobites?" in Asturnatura. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from Asturnatura: asturnatura.com