KEY CONCEPT Multicellular life evolved in distinct phases.
Paleozoic Years: 544 mya-248 mya Major events: Multicellular organisms first appeared. Members of every major animal group evolved. A huge mass extinction occurred at the end of the era Cambrian explosion: Cambrian period; a huge diversity of animal species evolved
Mesozoic Years: 248 mya-65 mya Known as: Age of Reptiles Major events: Mammals first appeared, crocodiles & dinosaurs arose. A mass extinction occurred & dinosaurs became extinct
Cenozoic Years: 65 mya-Present Major events: Placental mammals & monotremes evolved & diversified, primates evolved