Approximately when is the initial colonization of land by woodlouse ancestors thought to have occurred?
Answer
During the Carboniferous period
The evolutionary history of woodlice highlights a significant transition from marine life to full terrestrial existence. While the earliest known fossils date back to the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 100 million years ago, scientific estimation places the actual initial colonization of land much earlier. This major evolutionary milestone is believed to have taken place around 300 million years ago, specifically during the extensive swamp forests of the Carboniferous period. This timeline establishes woodlice as part of a select, ancient lineage of crustaceans that successfully adapted to live and thrive entirely on land, differentiating them significantly from most modern crustaceans.
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