Pre-Dinosaur Earth and Evolution of Early Life

Theia and Formation of Earth

• 4.4 billion years ago: Earth is toxic, sterile, and bombarded by meteorites.
• Collision with Theia: Merged to create the modern Earth and Moon.
• Oceans Form: Leading to the potential for life.

Early Life and Predators

• 530 million years ago: No life on land, but oceans are different.
• Evolution Accelerates: Predators like Anomalocaris, the first super predator, appear.
• Evolution of Eyes: Triggered an arms race between predators and prey.
• Arthropods: 80% of creatures have exoskeletons; will evolve into insects and spiders.

Early Vertebrates

• Hyku Icthys: The first fish with a primitive backbone, making them more maneuverable.
• Cephalaspis: Evolved head protection and sensors to detect vibrations.
• Brontoscorpio: Giant sea scorpions, top predators in the Silurian seas.
• Pterygotus: Largest arthropod, predator of Brontoscorpio.

Transition to Land

• Pioneering Plants: Cooksonia, first to send shoots upwards, lead to tall forests.
• Cephalaspis Migration: Use memory and landmarks to return to spawning grounds.
• Arthropod Adaptation: Brontoscorpio develops primitive lungs for shoreline patrol.
• First Limbs: Fish develop fins into limbs, allowing them to move on land.

Early Amphibians and Reptiles

• Hynerpeton: Early amphibian with complex lungs, flexible limbs.
• Evolution of Reptiles: Development of hard, waterproof egg casings.
• Mesothelae Spider: Top predator in Carboniferous forests.
• Petrolacosaurus: Early reptile with tough, scaly skin and efficient heart.

Reptilian Giants

• Edaphosaurus: Vegetarian reptiles with sailbacks for temperature regulation.
• Dimetrodon: Carnivorous, with specialized teeth; exhibits parental care.
• Mass Extinction: Climate shifts, volcanic activity, and superheating lead to mass extinctions.

Survivors and Adaptations

• Diictodon: Adaptable burrowers with early mammalian traits.
• Labyrinthodont: Giant amphibians, unable to adapt to changing conditions.
• Scootosaurus: Ancestors of turtles, travel in herds for safety.
• Gorgonopsid: Top predators with saber teeth.

Recovery Post-Extinction

• Pangea: All continents form a single landmass.
• Lystrosaurus: Dominant herbivores in the early Triassic period.
• Euparkeria: Early dinosaur ancestors with agility and bipedalism.
• Theracephalian: Early mammal-like predators with venomous bite.

Dinosaur Era Begins

• Chasmatosaurus: Early crocodile ancestors.
• Triassic Forests: Recovered from mass extinctions, dominated by conifers.
• Early Dinosaurs: Euparkeria's descendants will become dinosaurs, dominating the next 170 million years.