What was Earth like in age of giant Insects?
the time everyone had forgotten
The Carboniferous period, approximately 300 million years ago, was indeed a time of significant transformation on Earth, marked by the dominance of extensive swamps, warm humid forests, and the evolution of unique and giant-sized life forms. Here's a breakdown of some key aspects of this fascinating period:
Giant Insects:
Mega Neura: Resembling modern dragonflies but with a wingspan of up to 75 centimeters, the Mega Neura was a carnivorous insect hunting other insects and small amphibians.
Arthroplura: A millipede-like creature reaching lengths of up to two and a half meters, it primarily fed on decomposing vegetation.
Pulmonoscorpius: A giant scorpion that roamed swampy areas, growing up to 70 centimeters.
Giant Cockroaches and Mayflies: Cockroaches with lengths of 10 centimeters and mayflies boasting wingspans of 45 centimeters.
Oxygen Levels:
During the Carboniferous period, atmospheric oxygen levels were estimated to be as high as 35%, compared to the 21% present in today's atmosphere.
The abundance of oxygen played a crucial role in the gigantism observed in insects during this time.
Insects breathe through trachea, and higher oxygen levels allowed for larger body sizes.
Factors Influencing Gigantism:
Higher oxygen levels promoted the growth of larger insects, but there might have been additional reasons for their size.
Another theory suggests that insects grew larger to counteract the potential negative effects of oxygen toxicity. Larger insects could absorb oxygen more slowly, reducing the risk of toxicity.
End of the Carboniferous Period:
The Carboniferous period was also known as the "coal age" due to the extensive coal beds formed from decaying ancient forests.
Seed-bearing plants evolved during this time, contributing to diverse ecosystems.
As the period progressed, Earth's climate transitioned to an "ice house" state, with lower temperatures and the formation of ice sheets in the southern hemisphere.
Transition to the Permian Period:
The supercontinent Pangea fully formed during the Permian period.
The collapse of rainforests and a decline in oxygen levels led to the extinction of giant insects.
Early reptiles began to dominate the landscape, marking a shift in the ecosystem.
The Permian period followed, bringing further changes to Earth's climate and ecosystems. The video ends with a teaser for the next installment, suggesting a continuation of Earth's evolutionary journey
The insect nervous system consists of a brain and a ventral nerve cord. Most insects reproduce by laying eggs. Insects breathe air through a system of paired openings along their sides, connected to small tubes that take air directly to the tissues. The blood therefore does not carry oxygen; it is only partly contained in vessels, and some circulates in an open hemocoel. Insect vision is mainly through their compound eyes, with additional small ocelli. Many insects can hear, using tympanal organs, which may be on the legs or other parts of the body. Their sense of smell is via receptors, usually on the antennae and the mouthparts.
Nearly all insects hatch from eggs. Insect growth is constrained by the inelastic exoskeleton, so development involves a series of molts. The immature stages often differ from the adults in structure, habit and habitat. Groups that undergo four-stage metamorphosis often have a nearly immobile pupa. Insects that undergo three-stage metamorphosis lack a pupa, developing through a series of increasingly adult-like nymphal stages. The higher level relationship of the insects is unclear. Fossilized insects of enormous size have been found from the Paleozoic Era, including giant dragonfly-like insects with wingspans of 55 to 70 cm (22 to 28 in). The most diverse insect groups appear to have coevolved with flowering plants.
Adult insects typically move about by walking and flying; some can swim. Insects are the only invertebrates that can achieve sustained powered flight; insect flight evolved just once. Many insects are at least partly aquatic, and have larvae with gills; in some species, the adults too are aquatic.
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