Question

What is taphonomy? Give four examples of taphonomic processes. Give four examples of taphonomic evidence that might indicate that an ancient animal represented by fossils was killed by a crocodile. Describe two non-taphonomic lines of evidence consistent with the idea that an ancient animal represented by fossils was killed by a crocodile. Describe two ways that studies of modern organisms can inform our understanding of past ecosystems. How can taphonomic evidence inform our understanding of past life beyond helping us determine the nature of predator/prey interactions? In the case of the H. habilis foot and leg fossils described above, stratigraphic evidence trumped taphonomic and other lines of evidence, causing Jackson to reject a hypothesis that much evidence supported. Do you agree with Jackson's rejection of the hypothesis that the foot and leg fossils came from the same individual? Are there any other ways to reconcile the opposing lines of evidence? Explain.

Answer 1

Analysis of the fossilization process from the organism's death to the discovery of the fossil.

Examples include:

• The marks of the teeth,
• the butchery,
• the gastrointestinal enzymes that leave the mark,
• where the fossil is the product of death,
• broken bones.

Four examples of taphonomic evidence that might indicate that an ancient animal represented by fossils was killed by a crocodile are

• Punctures, bisected points,
• hook grades, poor nibbling,
• entire unbroken bones left behind.

The place where it was found, and the time period which it was found in.

Species closely connected to the past may have the same / similar preferences, and examining at just how they consume / live will provide us with data on how past species have survived.

Provides evidence of what you consume and how you feed your food. If there were too many predators, it also describes migratory behaviors. Informs us the environmental hazards.

Yes, i agree. If it can't be the same individual on various layers of rock