The Palaeozoic era was followed by the Mesozoic era. It was ‘the era of reptiles’, when dinosaurs ruled the world. It was the time of geologic and biological transition. It is divided into three major periods: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.
Time Period: This era started 225 million years ago and lasted up to 70 million years ago.
Features:
♦ During this era the continents began to move into their present-day configurations.
♦ A distinct modernisation of life-forms occurred, partly because of the demise of several Palaeozoic organisms. This extinction wiped out about 95% of all marine life and 70% of terrestrial animals.
The era ended with ‘the great extinction’ which marked the end of the dinosaurs as the Cenozoic era began.
Triassic: This period started 225 million years ago, and lasted for 45 million years. Evolution of many land reptiles, including the dinosaurs took place in this period.
Jurassic: This period started 180 million years ago and lasted for 45 million years. Several large dinosaurs evolved in this period. The oldest bird fossils are from the Jurassic period.
Cretaceous: This period started 135 million years ago and lasted for 65 million years. By the end of this period, the dinosaurs became extinct. Modern plants such as magnolia, fig and poplar evolved during this period.
