Which can be excluded due to the absence of fossil records.
There are several extinct plants and animals for which fossil records have not been found. The absence of fossil records for these organisms means that their existence cannot be confirmed or studied through direct physical evidence. Some examples of organisms that can be excluded due to the absence of fossil records include the following:
1. Soft-bodied organisms: Many soft-bodied organisms, such as worms, jellyfish, and some types of bacteria, do not typically leave fossil evidence behind due to their delicate and easily decomposable nature.
2. Microorganisms: Microscopic organisms, including certain bacteria, fungi, and protists, are too small to leave fossil traces.
3. Small and fragile plants: Certain plants, especially those with small and easily decayed parts like leaves and flowers, may leave little to no distinctive fossil evidence.
4. Organisms living in aquatic environments: Aquatic organisms, such as certain fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, may not have a high chance of fossil preservation due to the conditions of their habitat.
5. Organisms in areas lacking suitable conditions for fossilization: Fossilization requires specific conditions, such as rapid burial and protection from erosion, to occur. Organisms living in areas that do not possess these conditions are less likely to have their remains preserved as fossils.
It is important to note that the absence of fossil records does not necessarily mean that these organisms never existed. It could be a result of limited fossil sampling, unfavorable fossilization conditions, or the loss of fossils due to geological processes over time.