A Fossil Record With Holes
The Cambrian explosion can look sudden partly because fossilization is rare. Most bodies decay, get destroyed by erosion, or never get preserved well in the first place.Cambrian Explosion Fossils: Why the Record Looks Sudden
Soft Bodies Usually Vanish
Hard parts like shells survive more easily, but soft-bodied animals usually disappear before they can fossilize. That helps explain why many animal groups are missing from the fossil record.Cambrian Explosion Fossils: Why the Record Looks Sudden
