TED-Ed: Is this the most successful animal ever? | Nigel Hughes

Trilobites were highly successful marine arthropods that thrived around 500 million years ago. They were among the first animals with complex eyes and played a significant role in the Cambrian explosion. Trilobites exhibited diverse physical traits and social behaviors, adapting to various ecological niches. Despite their dominance, they eventually succumbed to environmental changes and predators. Their fossils provide valuable insights into ancient marine ecosystems, and their evolutionary legacy continues through their arthropod relatives.

What major event allowed trilobites to become one of the most diverse and sophisticated organisms on Earth?

• The Jurassic period

• The Cambrian explosion

• The Ice Age

• The Permian extinction

Which feature of trilobites allowed them to form sharp images and quickly sense changes in light?

• Their long tails

• Their soft bodies

• Their compound eyes made of calcite

• Their ability to swim

What adaptation did trilobites develop to protect themselves from predators?

• Camouflage skin

• Venomous stingers

• Spiky ornamentation and joint-locking mechanisms

• Ability to fly

What percentage of marine species were wiped out during the greatest known mass extinction event?

• 100%

• 50%

• 75%

• 96%

Where have trilobite fossils been found?

• On every continent

• Only in the ocean

• Only in North America

• Only in Europe

What is the relationship between trilobites and modern arthropods?

• Trilobites are direct ancestors of modern arthropods

• Trilobites and modern arthropods are unrelated

• Trilobites are evolutionary cousins of modern arthropods

• Trilobites evolved from modern arthropods

How did trilobites contribute to the fossil record?

• They were too small to fossilize

• They left behind only footprints

• Their soft bodies left no trace

• Their calcite exoskeletons created durable fossils