Answer:
When scientists discover a new fossil, one of the biggest challenges they face is determining what species it belongs to.
Step-by-step explanation:
This can be difficult for a few reasons:
1. Incomplete Fossils: Sometimes, only certain parts of the fossil are preserved, such as a single bone or a fragment of a skull. This makes it hard for scientists to get a complete picture of what the animal looked like and how it might have lived.
2. Similarity to Other Species: Some fossils may look very similar to other species that are already known. It can be difficult to determine whether the new fossil belongs to a known species or represents a new species.
3. Limited Sample Size: Fossilization is a rare event, and finding multiple specimens of the same species is even rarer. This can make it hard for scientists to determine whether variations between different fossils are due to individual differences or represent different species.
To overcome these challenges, scientists use a variety of techniques, including comparing the morphology of the fossil to other known species, analyzing DNA or proteins preserved in the fossil, and using computer simulations to model how the animal might have moved and interacted with its environment. It can take years of research and analysis to properly classify a new fossil.