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Difficulty: EasyAligning Data and Predictions with Viewpoints

Two paleontologists discuss the extinction of the Ichthyosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile.

* Paleontologist 1 claims that the Ichthyosaur went extinct due to a sudden decrease in global ocean temperatures, which caused a rapid decline in their warm-water prey.
* Paleontologist 2 claims that the Ichthyosaur went extinct due to competition for food with newly evolved, faster predatory sharks, regardless of ocean temperature changes.

A new fossil study reveals that during the period of the Ichthyosaur extinction, global ocean temperatures remained stable and warm, while the abundance of predatory shark fossils increased significantly. These findings align with the viewpoint of which paleontologist?

  1. A
    Paleontologist 1, because the stable temperatures indicate that the climate changed as predicted.
  2. B
    Paleontologist 1, because the increase in shark fossils indicates that warm-water prey decreased.
  3. Paleontologist 2, because the stable temperatures and increased shark abundance are consistent with shark competition driving the extinction.Answer
  4. D
    Paleontologist 2, because a decrease in the shark population forced the Ichthyosaurs to migrate to warmer waters.

Answer

Paleontologist 2, because the stable temperatures and increased shark abundance are consistent with shark competition driving the extinction.
The correct answer is the option stating that Paleontologist 2 is supported because the stable temperatures and increased shark abundance are consistent with shark competition driving the extinction. Paleontologist 2 claimed that competition with sharks caused the extinction regardless of temperature changes. The findings show that temperatures did not change (remained stable) and that shark abundance increased, supporting this competitive mechanism.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core claim of Paleontologist 1.
Paleontologist 1 argues that a sudden decrease in global ocean temperatures caused the extinction.
To determine if the new findings support or contradict this viewpoint.
2
Analyze the core claim of Paleontologist 2.
Paleontologist 2 argues that competition with newly evolved predatory sharks caused the extinction, regardless of temperature changes.
To determine if the new findings support or contradict this viewpoint.
3
Compare the new findings with both viewpoints.
The findings state that ocean temperatures remained stable (contradicting Paleontologist 1) and shark fossils increased significantly (supporting Paleontologist 2's mechanism of shark competition).
To align the data with the correct viewpoint.

Key Concept

Aligning Data and Predictions with Viewpoints
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Topics

Aligning Data and Predictions with Viewpoints

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