Before the Dinosaurs: Organisms in the Permian Period

INTRODUCTION

Before the dinosaurs ruled the earth, there was a period in the world around 299 to 251 million years ago. It was a vast ecosystem with various different organisms and species. During this time, insects, amphibians, and reptiles such as synapsids(the precursors of mammals)  and diapsids(the precursors of modern reptiles such as snakes or lizards) flourished. However, this extraordinary period ended with the largest mass extinction in the Earth’s history.

LANDSCAPE

The landscape of the Permian period was a region of extreme climates and strange animals. All of the continents that we know of today were combined into a massive landmass called Pangea. It was surrounded by a singular ocean named Panthalassa. Early in the period, most of the southern part of the continent was covered in an ice age. Later, the climate became very hot and dry, especially in the center of Pangea, where temperatures would reach up to 73 degrees celsius. Most flora grew near the coast or in cooler regions and included tall, pine-like trees, ferns, and other early types of vegetation. There were no flowers or grass at this time.

LIFE ON EARTH

As the environment changed, so did the animals. Amphibians, which had once ruled the land, began to struggle as the conditions got drier over time, and reptiles took their place. These reptiles had thick, scaly skin that helped them keep in moisture, allowing them to survive away from water. Some, like dimetrodon, had tall sails on their back that may have helped warm up faster in the morning sun. After these reptiles came Therapsids. They were strange reptiles that looked a bit like dinosaurs but were closer to mammals. Some were carnivores with sharp, long teeth, while others were slow plant eaters. 

LIFE UNDERWATER

Permian seas were busy with life. Bony fish with big fins swam among massive reef areas, while creatures like nautiloids and ammonoids floated through the water with their thick, protective shells. These animals thrived for millions of years, but as the period came to an end, a massive extinction event wiped out most marine species, which is still not fully understood. 

EXTINCTION

The end of Permian period was one of the most catastrophic extinctions in the Earth’s history. Around 251 million years ago, a massive extinction event wiped out over 90% of marine life and about 70% of land animals. Scientists call it “The Great Dying” because it was the worst extinction event the planet has ever seen. The exact cause is still debated. Some think it was huge volcanic eruptions which caused large amounts of ash to block sunlight. Others believe it could have been climate change. There are also the possibilities of the release of methane gas from the ocean floor and climate change. This mass extinction set the path for dinosaurs to rule the world.

CONCLUSION

The Permian period was a time of huge change and evolution. It saw the rise of early reptiles, the growth of various plant life, and big oceans full of organisms. Although it ended in disaster, wiping out most life on Earth, it also cleared the way for more species to evolve and take over. Understanding this period helps us see how life on Earth is always changing.