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Evo in the news: The evidence lines up in early mammal evolution

Grade Level(s):

  • 9-12
  • 13-16
  • General

Source:

  • UC Museum of Paleontology

Resource type:

  • Evo in the News article

Time: 15 minutes

Overview

This news brief, from September 2011, describes the discovery of a new mammal species that highlights just how long mammals have been around. Back in the Jurassic, dinosaurs may have dominated terrestrial ecosystems, but they were not alone. Scurrying around their feet and clinging to the trees above them were the fuzzy ancestors of their successors.

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  • [History of life: Grades 9-12] Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry. (LS4.A)
  • [History of life: Grades 13-16] Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry.
  • [History of life: Grades 9-12] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time. (LS4.A, LS4.D)
  • [History of life: Grades 13-16] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record contains organisms with transitional features.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record contains organisms with transitional features.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
  • [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists may explore many different hypotheses to explain their observations. (P7)
  • [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists may explore many different hypotheses to explain their observations.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans
  • Science and Engineering Practice 7. Engaging in argument from evidence

This article includes a set of discussion and extension questions for use in class. It also includes hints about related lessons that might be used in conjunction with this one. Get more tips for using Evo in the News articles in your classroom.