What period of the Paleozoic era is the Devonian?
Q: What period of the Paleozoic era is the Devonian?
A: The Devonian is the fourth period of the Paleozoic era.
Q: When did the Devonian period last?
A: The Devonian period lasted from about 419 million years ago (mya) to about 359 mya.
Q: Where was it named after?
A: The Devonian was named after Devonshire, England, where rocks from this period were first studied.
Q: What type of fish existed during this time?
A: During the Devonian, various types of fish existed including Agnatha (jawless fish), Acanthodii (spiny fish), Placoderms (armoured fish), Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish), and early Osteichthyes (bony fish).
Q: What other organisms evolved during this time?
A: During the Devonian, evolution of fish into tetrapods occurred and various terrestrial arthropods also became established. Additionally, seed-bearing plants spread across dry land forming huge forests.
Q: What continents were present during this time?
A: During the Devonian, there was a supercontinent of Gondwana to the south and Siberia to the north with an early form of Euramerica in between them. Pangaea was just starting to form at that time as well.
Q: How had land been colonized by late in this period? A: By late in the Devonian period, land had been colonized by plants and insects while massive reefs were built in oceans. Additionally, Euramerica and Gondwana were beginning to converge into what would become Pangaea.
