Terms: extinct
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- Science > Paleontology > Extinction Level Event
- Science > Paleontology > Extinction Level Event > Near Earth Objects
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- Mastodons - Extinct (Illinois State Museum)
Provides an article and a picture.
- Saber-Toothed Tigers - Extinct (Illinois State Museum)
Provides an article and a picture. Others have called the extinct cat sabre-toothed, saber toothed or sabertoothed
- Sloths - Extinct (Illinois State Museum)
Provides an article and a picture. Ground sloth pictured.
- Extinction 200 Million Years Ago (CNN)
Describes a very rapid mass extinction of life on earth 200 million years ago. 5-01
- Crocodiles - Extinct Supercroc (National Geographic)
"The giant creature, which lived 110 million years ago, during the Middle Cretaceous, grew as long as 40 feet (12 meters) and weighed as much as eight metric tons (17,500 pounds). Its jaws alone were nearly six feet (1.8 meters) long and its more than 100 teeth so powerful that the colossal creature probably consumed small dinosaurs as well as fish, the researchers say." 3-02
- Extinction of a Quarter of Mammals Feared (Independent - Connor)
Discusses a mass extinction of mammals that has begun and is caused by humans. 5-02
- Koalas Face Extinction (MSNBC News)
"Koalas, Australia's iconic symbol, face extinction as rapid urbanization along the eastern seaboard destroys their fragile habitat, the Australian Koala Foundation is warning." 6-04
- Extinction Level Event (National Geographic)
"Scientists studying the fallout from a huge asteroid that crashed into Earth 65 million years ago have gained better understanding of the event that most likely took out the dinosaurs and much other life on the planet."
"The asteroid that created the Chicxulub (pronounced CHEEK-shoo-loob) crater, located on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, was probably more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide, researchers estimate. The resulting crater was 110 to 125 miles (180 to 200 kilometers) wide and very deep. Today it is buried under several miles of limestone and is mostly underwater." 4-05
- -Simulation Results: Temperature Rise Caused a Mass Extinction (BBC News)
"A computer simulation of the Earth's climate 250 million years ago suggests that global warming triggered the so-called 'great dying'."
"A dramatic rise in carbon dioxide caused temperatures to soar to 10 to 30 degrees Celsius higher than today, say US researchers."
"Some 95% of lifeforms in the oceans became extinct, along with about three-quarters of land species." 8-05
- Extinction Level Event (Wikipedia.org)
"An extinction event (also extinction-level event, ELE) occurs when a large number of species die out in a relatively short period of time. Based on the fossil record, the background rate of extinctions on Earth is about two to five taxonomic families of marine invertebrates and vertebrates every million years."
"The classical 'Big Five' mass extinctions identified by Raup and Sepkoski (1982) are widely agreed upon as some of the most significant: End Ordovician, Late Devonian, End Permian, End Triassic, and End Cretaceous." 03-06
- Extinction Level Event (ArmageddonOnline.org)
"An extinction event (also extinction-level event, ELE) is a period in time when a large number of species die out. The normal background rate of extinctions is about two to five families of marine invertebrates and vertebrates every million years. Since life began on Earth, this background extinction rate has been punctuated by seven major extinction events." 03-06
- -05-01-06 Conservation Groups:16,000 Species Face Extinction (ABC News)
"Polar bears and hippos are among more than 16,000 species of animals and plants threatened with global extinction, the World Conservation Union said Tuesday." 05-06
- Climate Report: Massive Extinctions Expected (MSNBC News)
"A key element of the second major report on climate change being released Friday in Belgium is a chart that maps out the effects of global warming with every degree of temperature rise, most of them bad."
"There’s one bright spot: A minimal heat rise means more food production in northern regions of the world."
"However, the number of species going extinct rises with the heat, as does the number of people who may starve, or face water shortages, or floods, according to the projections in the draft report obtained by The Associated Press."
"The final document will be the product of a United Nations network of 2,000 scientists as authors and reviewers, along with representatives of more than 120 governments as last-minute editors. It will be the second of a four-volume authoritative assessment of Earth’s climate released this year. The last such effort was in 2001." 03-07
- 08-08-07 Endangered Dolphin Probably Extinct (MSNBC News)
"The long-threatened Yangtze River dolphin in China is probably extinct, according to an international team of researchers who said this would mark the first whale or dolphin to be wiped out due to human activity." 08-07
- Polar Bears Going Extinct (CBS News)
"More than two-thirds of the world's polar bears will be killed off by 2050 - including the entire population in Alaska - because of thinning sea ice from global warming in the Arctic, government scientists forecast Friday." 09-07
- Extinction Level Event: End Permian (ScienceDaily.com)
"In the end-Permian, as the levels of atmospheric oxygen fell and the levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide rose, the upper levels of the oceans could have become rich in hydrogen sulfide catastrophically. This would kill most of the oceanic plants and animals. The hydrogen sulfide dispersing in the atmosphere would kill most terrestrial life." 12-07
- Ten Signs We Might Be Experiencing a Mass Extinction (Animal.Discovery.com)
"Researchers have documented a fraction of the species on Earth, so how can we know — or even suspect — that we're in the middle of a mass extinction? Read on to learn about 10 of the biggest warning signs." 09-09
- Survival of the Weakest: Why Neanderthals Went Extinct (Newsweek.com)
"Because Neanderthals were not adept at tracking herds on the tundra, they had to retreat with the receding woodlands. They made their last stand where pockets of woodland survived, including in a cave in the Rock of Gibraltar. There, Finlayson and colleagues discovered in 2005, Neanderthals held on at least 2,000 years later than anywhere else before going extinct, victims of bad luck more than any evolutionary failings, let alone any inherent superiority of their successors." 07-09
- Ecology - Grade 9 - 12 Past Extinctions (Bagheera)
Provides discussions and activities related to 11 extinct animals.
- Endangered Species - Coral Reefs (Bagheera)
Provides a description of coral reefs and discusses the problems related to extinction of coral reefs.
- Endangered Species - Other Causes (Bagheera)
Provides descriptions of 5 animals in danger of extinction from a variety of causes.
- Rhinoceroses (African Wildlife Foundation)
Provides facts and a picture. "The rhinoceros is a large, primitive-looking mammal that in fact dates from the Miocene era millions of years ago. In recent decades rhinos have been relentlessly hunted to the point of near extinction."
- Dying Cultures (National Geographic Society)
Provides studies of three cultures on the edge of extinction, the the Ariaal of Kenya, the Chipaya of Bolivia, and the Penan of Malaysia. 7-99
- Primates in Peril (BBC News)
Provides an update on the extinction of primates. 5-00
- Athapascan Languages (Billabbie.com)
Provides information on the extinct Athapascan native languages of California, as well as Hupa, which is still spoken. 7-00
- Seed Project to Preserve Species (PlanetArk.org)
Describes the British project to save many species of plants from extinction by development of a huge seed bank. 11-00
- College level - Basic Biology (Farabee)
Includes Introduction to the Nature of Science and Biology, Chemistry 1 (Atoms and Molecules), Chemistry II (Water and Organic Molecules), Cells (Origins and Cellular Organization), Transport in and out of Cells, Cell Division (Binary Fission, Mitosis, Meiosis, and Sexual Reproduction), Laws of Thermodynamics, Reactions and Enzymes, ATP and Biological Energy, Cellular Metabolism and Fermentation, Photosynthesis, Introduction to Genetics, Gene Interactions, DNA and Molecular Genetics, Human Genetics, Protein Synthesis, Control of Gene Expression, Plants and their Structure, Flowering Plant Reproduction (Flower Structure, Fertilization, and Fruits), Plant Hormones and Nutrition, Animal Cells and Tissues, Animal Organ Systems and Homeostasis, the Integumentary System, the Circulatory Sytems, Lymphatic System and Immunity, the Digestive System, the Nervous System, the Endocrine System, the Reproductive System, the Muscular and Skeletal Systems, the Respiratory System, the Excretory System, Development of Evolutionary Theory, The Modern View of Evolution, Biological Diversity (Classification, Viruses, Bacteria, Archaeans, Protists - Stem Eukaryotes, Fungi, Nonvascular Plants and Nonseed Vascular Plants, Seed Plants, and Animals), Human Evolution, Population Ecology, Community and Ecosystem Dynamics, the Biosphere and Mass Extinctions, and Glossary. 12-02
- Second Oldest Hominids - Six Million Years Old (Time - Robinson)
Discusses the oldest hominid fossil, Orrorin tugenensis. "Indeed, suggests Haile-Selassie, while Orrorin may be one of the earliest chimps or an ape that became extinct, it could also turn out to be the last common ancestor of humans and chimps—a creature paleontologists have been dreaming of finding for decades." 5-02
- Evolution Concepts (PBS.org)
Provides papers on change, extinction, survival, and other key concepts of evolution. 6-02
- Dugong (Save the Dugong Campaign Center)
The Dugong is similar to the manatee but the Japanese variety is near extinction. 7-03
- Gorilla Species (WWFUS.org)
"There are four subspecies of gorillas, two of which are categorized as western gorillas, and two as eastern gorillas. All of these subspecies - western lowland gorilla, Cross River gorilla, Grauer's and mountain gorillas - are found only in Africa and all are threatened with extinction in the wild. Gorillas continue to face threats such as hunting for the pet and bushmeat trades, as well as habitat loss caused by logging, mining and human encroachment. These majestic great apes vary in population and distribution across their range states, yet share a common need: Each of the four subspecies requires active conservation measures and commitment to ensure their future survival in the wild." 12-03
- -11-17-04 Study: Endangered Species List Growing at Alarming Rate (MSNBC News)
"Current extinction rates are at least 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural rates found in the fossil record, the report stated. The data were released as 3,500 delegates gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, for a World Conservation Union conference focused on halting what's deemed an extinction crisis."
"The report concluded that humans are the main reason for most species' declines." 11-04
- Rodents (Wikipedia.org)
"The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. Currently there are, depending on the authority consulted, between 2000 and 3000 species of rodent—roughly half of all mammal species. Rodents are found in vast numbers on all continents (they are the only placental order other than the bats to reach Australia without human introduction), most islands, and in all habitats bar the oceans."
"Most rodents are small. The tiny African Pygmy Mouse is only 6 cm in length and 7 grams in weight. On the other hand, the Capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds) and the extinct Phoberomys pattersoni is believed to have weighed 700 kg."
"Rodents have two incisors in the upper as well as in the lower jaw which grow continuously and must be kept worn down by gnawing; this is the origin of the name, from the Latin rodere, to gnaw." 12-04
- Members of Ancient Tribes Escaped (CBS News)
"The last few dozen remaining members of an ancient indigenous tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands said they raced up a mountain to escape a devastating tsunami — and avoid extinction."
"And contrary to speculation by some anthropologists, she said the Great Andamanese did not sense the impending arrival of the tsunamis."
"Anthropologists believe five tribes of the southern Indian archipelago — including the Jarawas, Shompens, Onges and Sentinelese — date back 70,000 years. 1-05
- Plan to Put Human Gene Bank on the Moon (ABC News)
"Imagine if an asteroid plunged into Earth, killing all life in a giant fireball, or hostile aliens from a far-away planet launched an invasion and wiped out all life on our planet? Or what if a mutant, deadly plague spread from person to person and animal to animal and caused a vast extinction?"
"To get an idea of what the Alliance to Rescue Civilization has in mind, consider its acronym — ARC. The concept is to establish a genetic Noah's Ark of sorts or a protected stash of genomes from Earth's wide array of species and individuals. The concept is somewhat similar to the Frozen Zoo project, based at the San Diego Zoo, and the London-based Frozen Ark, where researchers collect genetic material from rare and threatened animal species and store it in liquid nitrogen for future research."
"The difference is this genetic library could one day be used to revive the human species. And it's not just the Alliance to Rescue Civilization that has pondered such a moon-based bank. Bernard Foing, chief scientist with the European Space Agency, said it's an idea that his agency has discussed for some time." 3-05
- -06-05-05 Global Warming Initiative Planned for California (MSNBC News)
"More than a fifth of the planet’s bird species face extinction as humans venture further into their habitats and introduce alien predators, a conservation group said on Wednesday." 6-05
- -02-06-06 Dozens of New Species Found (ABC News)
"A team of scientists exploring an isolated jungle in one of Indonesia's most remote provinces said they discovered dozens of new species of frogs, butterflies and plants as well as large mammals hunted to near extinction elsewhere." 02-06
- Chicxulub Crater (Space.com)
"When a giant space rock slammed into Earth 65 million years ago near the present-day village of Chicxulub on the Yucatan Peninsula, not only did it wipe out a lot of dinosaurs, it left behind a huge crater and, inside that pock, an even bigger mystery." 03-06
- -03-03-06 Giant Crater Found (MSNBC News)
"Scientists have discovered a huge crater in the Saharan desert, the largest one ever found there." 03-06
- Editorial: Post-Dramatic Awards Syndrome (MSN Movies)
Provides information on the 78th Annual Academy Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "In what might be called Post-Dramatic Awards Syndrome (because it most commonly applies to actors), the Academy seems to come to the collective realization that an oversight or injustice has been committed -- either just the year before, or for several years running -- and chooses to rectify it, usually by overcompensating in favor of whatever performer is deemed to have been slighted in the past." 03-06
- Homo Sapiens Idaltu (Wikipedia.org)
"Homo sapiens idaltu (roughly translated as "elderly wise man") is an extinct subspecies of Homo sapiens that lived almost 160,000 years ago in Pleistocene Africa. Its fossilized remains were discovered in Ethiopia in 1997 by Tim White, but first unveiled in 2003. The fossils were found at Herto Bouri, a region of Ethiopia under volcanic layers. By using radioisotopes dating, the layers date between 154,000 and 160,000 years old. Three well preserved craniums are accounted for, the best preserved is from an adult male (BOU-VP-16/1) having a brain capacity of 1450cc."
Provides a chart of hominids, including humans, at the bottom of the page. 03-06
- Heidelberg Man (Wikipedia.org)
"Homo heidelbergensis (nicknamed "Goliath") is an extinct species of the genus Homo and the direct ancestor of Homo neanderthalensis in Europe."
Provides a chart of hominids, including humans, at the bottom of the page.
Provides a chart of hominids, including humans, at the bottom of the page. 03-06
- Robust Australopithecines (Wikipedia.org)
"The robust australopithecines, members of the extinct hominin genus Paranthropus, were bipedal hominins that probably descended from the gracile australopithecine hominins (Australopithecus). All species of Paranthropus were bipedal, and many lived during a time when species of the genus Homo (which were possibly descended from Australopithecus or more likely from Kenyanthropus), were prevalent. Paranthropus first appeared roughly 2 million years ago, just before the beginning of the Pleistocene. Most species of Paranthropus had a brain about 40 percent of the size of modern man."
Provides a chart of hominids, including humans, at the bottom of the page. 03-06
- Homo Genus or Humans (Wikipedia.org)
"Homo is the genus that includes modern humans and their close relatives. The genus is estimated to be between 1.5 and 2.5 million years old. All species except Homo sapiens are extinct. " 03-06
- Kenyanthropus platyops (Wikipedia.org)
"Kenyanthropus platyops is a 3.5 to 3.2 million year old (Pliocene) extinct hominin species that was discovered in Lake Turkana, Kenya in 1999 by Meave Leakey. The fossil found features a broad flat face with a toe bone that suggests it probably walked upright." Its taxon is still being debated. Some identify it as a missing link between Australopithecus and modern humans, a "proto-human." 03-06
- Oldest Homo Sapiens Found (BBC News)
"Three fossilised skulls unearthed in Ethiopia are said by scientists to be among the most important discoveries ever made in the search for the origin of humans."
"The crania of two adults and a child, all dated to be around 160,000 years old, were pulled out of sediments near a village called Herto in the Afar region in the east of the country."
" 'All the genetics have pointed to a geologically recent origin for humans in Africa - and now we have the fossils,' said Professor Tim White, one of the co-leaders on the research team that found the skulls." The Herto fossils have been classified as Homo sapiens idaltu, now extinct. Homo sapiens sapiens is the only subspecies of Homo sapiens known to have survived as current humans. 03-06
- Oldest Homo Sapiens Found (NPR.org)
"After six years of analysis, fossil hunters in Africa have confirmed the discovery of the oldest fossilized remains of modern humans yet found -- portions of skulls belonging to people who lived 160,000 years ago. Paleontologists say the discovery adds detail to a crucial period in human evolution, and confirms the hypothesis that modern humans evolved in Africa."
"According to Berkeley's Tim White, the evidence also lays to rest any notion that Neanderthals were direct human ancestors. Rather, he says, they were a branch of pre-human evolution that remained isolated in Europe." The Herto fossils have been classified as Homo sapiens idaltu, now extinct. Homo sapiens sapiens is the only subspecies of Homo sapiens known to have survived as current humans. 06-03
- Oldest Homo Sapiens Found (ScienceNews.org)
"Three partial skulls excavated in eastern Africa, dating to between 154,000 and 160,000 years ago, represent the oldest known fossils of modern people, according to the ancient skulls' discoverers."
"The Herto fossils show that H. sapiens evolved in Africa independently of European Neandertals, says project director Tim D. White, an anthropologist at the University of California, Berkeley." The Herto fossils have been classified as Homo sapiens idaltu, now extinct. 06-03
- Homo Floresiensis (Wikipedia.org)
"Homo floresiensis ('Man of Flores') is an extinct species in the genus Homo, remarkable for its small body, small brain, and survival until relatively recent times. It is thought to have been contemporaneous with modern humans (Homo sapiens) on the Indonesian island of Flores. One sub-fossil skeleton, dated at 18,000 years old, is largely complete."
Editor's Note: Sometimes called the "Hobbit" man, H. floresiensis is the last known member of the genus Homo to become extinct, leaving ourselves as the only remaining members of the genus Homo to survive. 03-06
- Pequot Indians History (Native-Languages.org)
"The name 'Mohegan' probably originally referred to a particular Pequot clan, which eventually fought its way to control of the Pequot Nation. Today, however, it is used as a broad rubric referring to several originally distinct eastern tribes: the Pequot, the Montauk (Metoac), the Narragansett, the Shinnecock, the Niantic, and the Nipmuc, among others. This would all be confusing enough without James Fenimore Cooper's book 'Last of the Mohicans,' which incorrectly merges the Mahicans and Mohegans into a single, extinct tribe. In fact neither group is extinct, and though they are kinfolk, the similarity between their names is due to coincidence and European mispronunciation--'Mahican' comes from the word Muheconneok, meaning 'people of the Hudson River,' and 'Mohegan' comes from the word Mahiingan, 'wolf.' Today there are about 5000 Mohegan Indians in southern New England, counting the Pequots, Montauks, and Narragansetts together, and another 3000 Mahicans." Sometimes misspelled as Piquat. 04-06
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