Question

Which of the following would be LEAST likely in the fossil record? Which of the following would be LEAST likely in the fossil record? desert-dwelling species marine-dwelling species marsh-dwelling species burrowing species

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is desert-dwelling species.

Explanation:

Any preserved remains, trace or impression of anything, which was once living in the past is termed as a fossil. The examples of fossils comprise stone imprints of microbes or animals, bones, exoskeletons, shells, coral, remnants of DNA, the substances getting preserved in amber, and others.  

For the formation of fossils, the most essential condition is decomposition that takes place gradually, that is, at a slow pace. Thus, places like wet marshy areas will be the locations where the maximum of the fossils can be found as such places provide optimum conditions for slow mineralization and decomposition of bones.  

On the other hand, places like deserts would be the least likely to have a fossil record as deserts are devoid of optimum conditions required for the formation of fossils. In places like a desert, decomposition and demineralization of the components like bones take place at a brisk rate.