What are the main evolutionary milestones on Earth?

The main evolutionary milestones on Earth can be traced back billions of years. The first significant milestone is the emergence of single-celled organisms, which appeared around 3.5 billion years ago. These organisms evolved into more complex life forms, leading to the development of multi-cellular organisms around 1 billion years ago. The Cambrian explosion, which occurred approximately 540 million years ago, marked a major milestone as there was a sudden proliferation of diverse and complex organisms, including the first appearance of many animal groups that still exist today. Another significant milestone in evolution is the colonization of land by plants and animals, which began around 500 million years ago. The emergence of reptiles around 310 million years ago, followed by the rise of dinosaurs around 230 million years ago, were other notable milestones. Finally, the evolution of mammals, including the emergence of primates and eventually humans, represents a major milestone in the history of life on Earth. Throughout these milestones, various mass extinctions have also shaped the course of evolution, allowing new species to emerge and take over ecological niches.

This mind map was published on 30 December 2023 and has been viewed 51 times.