Based on the fossil record, it was estimated that coelacanths had become extinct in the late Cretaceous, approximately 66 million years ago. However, a live coelacanth was discovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938. This is an example of
A) forward smearing.
B) the Signor-Lipps effect.
C) radiocarbon dating.
D) the law of superposition.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of a live coelacanth after it was believed to be extinct for millions of years is an example of the Signor-Lipps effect, which states that the last occurrence of a fossil species may not correspond exactly to its true time of extinction. This is due to gaps in the fossil record and the possibility of missing or incomplete specimens. The other options, forward smearing, radiocarbon dating, and the law of superposition, are not applicable to this situation.

Based on the Fossil Record, It Was Estimated That Coelacanths