Final answer:
The Cenozoic Era follows the Mesozoic Era and is characterized as the age of mammals, where mammals rose to prominence after the extinction of the dinosaurs. It began 65 million years ago and continues to the present, marked by significant evolutionary changes and diversification of life forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cenozoic Era
After the Mesozoic Era comes the Cenozoic Era, which is known as the age of mammals. During this era, mammals evolved to fill virtually all the niches vacated by dinosaurs after the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. This era began 65 million years ago and is characterized by significant geological and biological changes. The Cenozoic is marked by the diversification of mammals, emergence of flowering plants, and further shifting of continents.
Mass Extinction Events
The transition between the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic eras was defined by a mass extinction event which led to the demise of the dinosaurs. This allowed mammals, which had been small and relatively insignificant during the Mesozoic, to become the dominant form of animal life on Earth. As a result, the Cenozoic Era is often dubbed as the Age of Mammals.
Ecosystem Changes
Many new ecosystems arose in the Cenozoic due to the evolution of grasses and coral reefs. Environmental shifts, like the ice ages, led to further extinctions and speciation. The late Cenozoic, specifically, saw evolution of Homo sapiens and dramatic shifts in the Earth's fauna and flora.