Is it true that the age or vertabrates were in the Paleozoic era, the age of reptiles in the Mesozoic era, and the age of mammals iin the Cenozoic era?
Yes, it is true that different groups of animals dominated different eras throughout Earth's history. The Paleozoic era, which lasted from about 541 million to 252 million years ago, was indeed known as the age of invertebrates. During this era, the oceans were home to a diverse array of marine invertebrates, including trilobites, mollusks, and early forms of fish.
The Mesozoic era, spanning from approximately 252 million to 66 million years ago, is commonly referred to as the age of reptiles. This era witnessed the rise and dominance of reptiles, including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs. However, it is worth noting that other groups of animals, such as mammals and birds, also existed during the Mesozoic era, although they were not as prevalent or diverse as the reptiles.
Finally, the Cenozoic era, which began around 66 million years ago and continues to the present day, can indeed be called the age of mammals. After the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Mesozoic era, mammals rapidly diversified and became the dominant group of animals on land. This era saw the evolution and spread of various mammalian lineages, leading to the diverse array of mammals that exist today, including primates (which includes humans), carnivores, rodents, and many others.
In summary, the Age of Invertebrates (Paleozoic era), Age of Reptiles (Mesozoic era), and Age of Mammals (Cenozoic era) is a simplified way to describe the dominant groups of animals in each respective era.