A geologist is studying layers of rock. He finds a fossil with an imprint of a shelled animal. According to the law of faunal and floral succession, what new type of fossil would he most likely find next, in the layer of rock above it? a fossil of an amphibian, a fossil of a reptile, a fossil of a fish, a fossil of a human?
Answer:
The correct answer is "a fossil of a fish".
Explanation:
The law of faunal and floral succession states that based on observation, sedimentary rock strata contains fossilized organisms in a predictable order. According to this law the layer of a rock above an imprint of a shelled animal would likely have a fossil of a fish. This theory is supported by evolutionary evidence of fishes being formed after shelled animals in ancient times.