Question

What is fossilisation and speciation.

Answer 1

Fossilisation is a rare process, the vast majority of deceased organisms disappear without leaving a trace

In order for fossilisation to occur, the following conditions are required:

• Hard body parts (bones, teeth, shells) – soft body parts will not fossilise, but may leave behind trace evidence (e.g. imprints)
• Preservation of remains (protection against scavenging, erosion and environmental damage)
• High pressure to promote mineralisation of remains (i.e. turn hard body parts into fossilised rocks)
• Anoxic (low oxygen) conditions to protect against oxygen damage and prevent decomposition by saprotrophs.

Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.