Final answer:
The diversification of animal species which started in the Cambrian period continued into later periods such as the Ordovician, with ongoing evolution and adaptation despite mass extinction events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diversification of animal species that began during the Cambrian period continued into subsequent geological periods of the Paleozoic Era. This era is characterized by significant evolutionary changes, where new animal orders, families, and species emerged. One of the most significant periods after the Cambrian was the Ordovician, where plants first invaded land, leading to a wave of animal species adapting to terrestrial life. Throughout the Paleozoic Era, changes in climate and geography spurred further diversification and adaptation among animal species.
The Cambrian explosion was a pivotal moment in evolutionary history, with rapid diversification resulting in most of the animal phyla we are familiar with today. Nevertheless, mass extinctions periodically punctuated this diversification, each event eliminating a large portion of existing species. However, certain specious managed to survive these extinction events, contributing to the continued evolution and diversity of life forms on Earth.