When the Rainforests Collapsed

The video explores the history of Hylonomus, the earliest known reptile, and the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse, a significant extinction event. This event, driven by climate change, led to the decline of swampy forests and dominant amphibians, paving the way for the rise of amniotes. These early reptiles adapted to drier conditions, eventually giving rise to modern reptiles, birds, and mammals. The video highlights the geological evidence of this period and the evolutionary significance of the amniotes' adaptations.

Describe the environment in which Hylonomus lived.

What was the name of the lizard-like creature that lived in what is now Nova Scotia?

How did the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse affect amphibians like Cochleosaurus?

What significant event is referred to as the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse?

In what ways did the extinction event during the Carboniferous period shape the evolution of terrestrial animal life?

What were the two hypotheses regarding the impact of the rainforest collapse on tetrapod communities?

What adaptations allowed amniotes to thrive after the rainforest collapse?