El quaternary period is the last one that corresponds to the Cenozoic eraThis is the period that continues today and began approximately 2.5 million years ago, encompassing the development of humankind. Quaternary fauna has been studied in great detail because it is easier to obtain information since it is more recent.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the fauna of the Quaternary.
Quaternary period
This is a period with quite interesting geological activity. It is active as in previous periods, although it seems to have slowed down enormously. The movement of the continents is getting slower, Like other orogenic processes, orogenic processes arise as a result of tectonic plate collisions. However, as can be seen in various studies, there is less orogenic activity throughout the Quaternary.
Most plant and animal species belonging to the Quaternary fauna have developed enormously. A significant increase in species extinction has also been observed. Due to climate change and the emergence of humans, thousands of species have become extinct, and we are approaching the sixth global extinction, as mentioned in studies on the influence of humans on the climate.
In summary, it can be said that it is a calm period from the geological point of view. A decrease in environmental temperatures has predominated, causing several glaciations. However, we now live in an interglacial period that we know as Holocene.
Quaternary human and fauna
Human development is most notable in the Quaternary fauna. This is where the earliest ancestors of modern humans appeared. The first stage of human evolution was Australopithecus, and the current evolution is Homo sapiens. Not only has human logical development been studied, but also their social skills.
The Quaternary has been noted for having a large amount of species extinction. This extinction is occurring in a systematic way after the appearance of the human being. The so-called megafauna that existed at the end of the Pleistocene is disappearing at an accelerating rate. Specialists consider human activity to be the main cause of extinction. This is because humans use wildlife for benefits such as food, clothing, and tool making, among others. By learning more about species extinction, it's useful to explore how humans have influenced this process.
There are many scientists who have been alarmed because they have studied the speed at which this extinction is taking place and it is the greatest in all history. At the rate at which species are becoming extinct, they do not have time to adapt to new environmental conditions. In addition, this list of endangered species is expanding more and more.
Flora and development
The flora has undergone great diversification, both among aquatic and terrestrial plants. Biodiversity in general has largely depended on climate, and thanks to this, animals have developed certain characteristics to adapt to specific ecosystems.
The fossil records show that there are a large number of thermophilic plants that have been able to adapt to extreme temperature conditions. Some of them are those that adapt to very cold temperatures. The quaternary period has caused the appearance of different biomes with their own climatic characteristics. This greatly influences the types of plants that will grow in them. You can delve deeper into this aspect by reviewing the impact of these biomes on the biodiversity and adaptations.
The largest number of plants found on the planet are angiosperms. These are those that have a protected seed. Later in the Quaternary, forests and jungles began to appear, mainly in the tropics. Plants have increasingly specialized to suit diverse environments.
Quaternary fauna
The fauna has not changed much from the beginning of the Quaternary to the present day. The animals that have survived since the beginning of the period have managed to survive various environmental variations. Most of them have survived to the present day. However, some important aspects should be mentioned.
Mammals were the animals with the greatest evolution and development. Since a group of large mammals appeared, it was called megafauna. Among the megafauna there were very famous mammals recognized as the mammoth, megatherium and saber teeth. The main characteristic of these animals was their large size and the fact that they were covered in thick fur. This was a type of adaptation to survive the cold. It is interesting to compare them with the homo neanderthalensis and its adaptation to the environment.
Most of the animals belonging to the megafauna have already become extinct today. The mammoth continues today with the elephants and the saber-toothed tiger. The megatherium are the current sloths.
Quaternary fauna experienced the most extinctions. During the Holocene, animal extinction increased due to human development. Humans are responsible for the systematic extinction of a large number of animals. Among the emblematic animals that have become extinct, we can mention mammoths, dodos and the Tasmanian wolf, among others.
Amphibians are the most threatened as it is estimated that 30% of all species could disappear in the next few years. Human development is a determining factor in the fauna of the Quaternary. This is where the first hominids evolved until the present day. Homo sapiens. Behind the australopithecus the homo habilis and later the Homo erectus. This species already had the main characteristic of being able to walk upright on two limbs. This allowed him to have a wide view of the entire terrain that surrounded him.
He was also able to discover fire and experienced migrations to other continents. Homo neanderthalensis It was one of the most peculiar. This is because its body was adapted to low temperatures. It relied on the fur of hunted animals and made its own clothing to protect itself from the cold. Almost all the fossils of this species have been found on the European continent.
Already the Homo sapiens It is the one that establishes societies and marked a social hierarchy. Your brain is fully developed and can analyze various topics and aspects and deal with other more complex situations. He was also able to develop articulate language.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the fauna of the Quaternary.