To which geological period does the White Sturgeon fossil record extend?
Answer
Triassic period
The fossil record for the family Acipenseridae, to which the White Sturgeon belongs, stretches back into the Triassic period. The end of the Triassic period is noted as occurring approximately 201 million years ago. This immense span of time signifies that the sturgeon’s evolutionary blueprint predates the peak dominance of the dinosaurs and the emergence of most modern fish groups. Their continued existence shows that this ancient biological design was highly successful in surviving major, long-term environmental shifts throughout geological history, placing them near a foundational branch on the evolutionary tree of bony fishes.
Related Questions
To which geological period does the White Sturgeon fossil record extend?What is the dermal armor structure replacing true scales on the White Sturgeon?What primitive internal feature remains unossified in the White Sturgeon's backbone?What aids the White Sturgeon's bottom-feeding by locating food on dark bottoms?Which geographic extremes define the native range of the White Sturgeon in the Pacific basin?What life history strategy characterizes the White Sturgeon's approach to reproduction?What term describes the White Sturgeon's ability to migrate between salt and fresh water?What anthropogenic pressure negates the White Sturgeon's ancient defensive adaptations?Approximately how old must female White Sturgeon be to reach sexual maturity?To which biological family do White Sturgeons belong, according to the text?