DEVONIAN PERIOD Meaning and
Definition
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The Devonian Period is a geologic time period that spanned from approximately 419.2 million years ago to 358.9 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era. It is named after the English county of Devon, where rocks from this period were first discovered and extensively studied. The Devonian Period marks a significant phase in the evolution of life on Earth, as it is commonly referred to as the "Age of Fishes."
During this period, marine life flourished, with jawed fishes becoming the dominant group. Primitive sharks, placoderms, and ray-finned fishes diversified and developed adaptations that allowed them to inhabit various aquatic environments. The Devonian Period is also known for the first appearance of early tetrapods, which were the ancestors of modern land-dwelling vertebrates and played a crucial role in the transition from water to land.
In addition to the proliferation of fish, the Devonian Period is known for the formation of extensive coral reefs, which were predominantly composed of colonial rugose and tabulate corals. These reefs provided habitats for diverse marine organisms and contributed to the overall biodiversity of the period.
The end of the Devonian Period witnessed a significant extinction event that affected many marine species, particularly the reef-building corals. This extinction event, known as the Hangenberg event, was believed to be caused by environmental changes such as sea level fluctuations, global climate cooling, and the onset of anoxia (lack of oxygen) in certain areas.
Overall, the Devonian Period represents a crucial chapter in Earth's history, characterized by the diversification and emergence of various organisms that set the stage for future evolutionary developments.
Common Misspellings for DEVONIAN PERIOD
- sevonian period
- xevonian period
- cevonian period
- fevonian period
- revonian period
- eevonian period
- dwvonian period
- dsvonian period
- ddvonian period
- drvonian period
- d4vonian period
- d3vonian period
- deconian period
- debonian period
- degonian period
- defonian period
- devinian period
- devknian period
- devlnian period
Etymology of DEVONIAN PERIOD
The word "Devonian" originates from the Latin term "Devonius", which means "of Devon".
The Devonian Period is named after Devon, a county in southwestern England. The rocks and fossils from this geological time period were extensively studied and classified in Devon during the 19th century. Thus, the name "Devonian" was derived to honor the location where significant discoveries were made, marking a distinct period in Earth's history.
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