Question

Imagine you discovered the fossil shown reconstructed to the left, Rodhocetus kasrani. The area where the fossil was found was coastal with large, shallow seas at the time the fossil was dated to. Rodhocetus kasranihad short limbs,long finger bones, a streamlined body, an unfused sacrum, and a long tail(these are all also features of modern whales). It was likely semi-aquatic, spending a lot of time in water, but its limbs could also support itself on land.

3) As a paleontologist, you wish to discover more fossils to better understand thehistory of life. However, field excursions are expensive and you must justify to granting agencies why you believe you are likely to successfully find fossils of note. Based on what you know, do you think you can make a strong case for looking for additional land mammal to whale transitional fossils? Why or why not?(10 points)

Answer 1

Good Fossils are found in places where there is exposure happening and within rocks like the sedimentary rocks that are exposed, such as clays, shales, limestones, and sandstones. Wave washed sea cliffs and foreshore exposures are often good places to search for fossils. Sice the location mentioned in the question dated back to a time when the place was coastal in nature there is a very good chance of finding such fossils in the region. Also Rodhocetus kasranihad was a kind of amphibian and there is a very good possibility to find many land mammal to whale transitional fossils. The availability of sandstone alongwiththe previous exposure to the coastal waters make it an ideal spot to locate for good quality of fossils.