Question

select the correct answer.
the cretaceous - paleogene was a mass extinction event in which nearly every single large, land - dwelling dinosaur went extinct. which of the following did not result from this extinction event?
a. diverse species of animals began to evolve.
b. meteorites struck the region that mexico now occupies.
c. clouds of dust and gas billowed into earths atmosphere.
d. ecological niches were left empty but with the potential to be filled.

Explanation:

• Option A: Diverse species of animals began to evolve long before the Cretaceous - Paleogene extinction event. This extinction event was a major disruption, not the start of diverse animal evolution.
• Option B: A large meteorite impact in the Yucatan Peninsula (the region that Mexico now occupies) is a well - accepted cause of the Cretaceous - Paleogene extinction event.
• Option C: The impact of the meteorite caused clouds of dust and gas to billow into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing climate changes that led to the extinction.
• Option D: After the extinction of the large dinosaurs (and many other species), ecological niches were left empty, which allowed for the diversification of surviving species (such as mammals) to fill those niches over time.

Answer:

A. Diverse species of animals began to evolve.