Final answer:
The most successful species during the Paleozoic Era were trilobites, during the Mesozoic Era were dinosaurs, and during the Cenozoic Era were mammals, followed by the ascendancy of humans. The correct option is a) Dinosaurs; Mammals; Hum
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the most successful species during different geological eras. In the Paleozoic Era, various invertebrates thrived, notably the trilobites during the Cambrian Period. This era also saw the diversification of marine animals and the early colonization of land.
The Mesozoic Era is often referred to as the 'Age of Reptiles' and is best known for the dominance of dinosaurs, who evolved from earlier reptiles filling numerous niches on land, water, and air. Birds are now the only living descendants of the theropod dinosaurs after the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period.
The Cenozoic Era saw mammals evolving to fill the ecological roles vacated by dinosaurs after their extinction. The end of the last ice age in this era corresponds with the evolution of Homo sapiens, signifying not just the age of mammals but also the ascendancy of human beings in recent times.
The options that best represent the dominating groups across these eras are: a) Dinosaurs; Mammals; and Humans b) Fish; Dinosaurs; Mammals c) Amphibians; Reptiles; Birds d) Trilobites; Dinosaurs; and Primates. Based on the historical context, the most successful species during the a. Paleozoic Era would be trilobites, b. Mesozoic Era would be dinosaurs and c. Cenozoic Era would be mammals, and eventually humans. The correct option is a) Dinosaurs; Mammals; Hum