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> we've described over 20,000 different trilobite species. That's over three times the number of mammalian species we're aware of. Is this actually true? Only
by dml2135 3y ago
> we've described over 20,000 different trilobite species. That's over three times the number of mammalian species we're aware of.
Is this actually true? Only 6,666 identified mammalian species, over past and present, seems way too low.
Edit: Well google answered my question, it seems like this number is correct. I guess I just always assumed that mammals were as diverse as other orders, but given their place in the food chain it makes sense that there would be a lot less.
- polonbike 3y agoA quick google/wiki/kagi/... search will shown that we know around 6400 mammal species, so the approximation is actually quite on point here
- pixl97 3y agoMammals are 'mostly' land animals. It's much more difficult to create fossils land than it is in the ocean. In addition mammals have always existed in a world with other competing species. For the longest time trilobites were competing with themselves.
- pvaldes 3y agoyes, mammals are scarce (and a good chunk of the megafauna is extinct). Birds and, most of all, fishes are the real vertebrate winners. Our impact is what made us important On the other hand, we are discovering a lot of new species lately.