During the Cambrian explosion there was in incredible amount of diversity that arose what accounted for this diversity? Interpret the evolutionary events that led to the vast diversity shown in the fossil record due to the Cambrian explosion. Be detailed.

 

Cambrian explosion: The period with most rapid evolution of new animal phyla and animal diversity in Earth's history some 500 million years ago is often referred to as Cambrian Explosion

Reasons for this Diversity:

1. Environmental changes such as rising atmospheric Oxygen levels, rise in Ocean calcium concentration that led to suitable environment for animal life
2. Expansive continental shelf: with numerous shallow lagoons gave the necessary living space for animals to co-exist.
3. Changes in the food web
4. Competition for food and space
5. Predator-prey relationships

All the above factors were primed to promote a sudden massive coevolution of species

Evolutionary events that led to the vast diversity:

1. One of the most dominant species during the Cambrian period was the Trilobite, an arthropod: the first animals to exhibit a sense of vision
2. followed by Echinoderms, mollusks, worms, and chordates